Doochary group considering their future after the latest spate of vandalism

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the theft of a heritage sign in Doochary last Thursday afternoon and have appealed for any information that might lead them to the culprits.

It was erected by the Doochary Development-Tidy Towns group as part of their ongoing efforts to enhance the village and attract tourists to their West Donegal area.

The sign frame was found dumped down an embankment earlier this week not far from the village but the actual sign itself is still missing.

The locals are now considering their future as a voluntary community group.

The Abhainn na Marbh sign that was removed depicted two tragedies that affected the village for generations. One was the slaughter of soldiers following the Battle of Scarrifholis by Cromwellian forces who threw victims’ bodies into the local river. The second was the tale of how on a dark night, in the late 19th century a large wedding party consisting of men and women returning to the Doochary area attempted to cross the local river. The river was swollen at the time and the party in their attempts to cross were all swept away and perished.

A spokesperson said they now felt like giving up.

"At this point in time are considering what is the point in carrying on without the support of the wider community, and will be looking at where we go from here as a group. We are exhausted by the repeated attempts at destroying our efforts.

"We have had hanging baskets stolen and a post sawn down and removed. A mural was also defaced and fruit trees were ripped out of the ground and taken, and the latest thing to happen was a heritage sign which had a value of around €600 removed.

"Somebody must know whoever is responsible for these actions and as the gardaí are now investigating the matter we would appreciate any information being forwarded to them.

As for the future of our group, we are unsure at the moment," the spokesperson said.