Damage was caused to the Concern installation at the Diamond, Enniskillen over the weekend RMG97
HEARTLESS thugs have destroyed display boards promoting aid to the developing world in Enniskillen town centre. The “Build Hope in the City” campaign had been on display at the Diamond, for the past week, but sadly was vandalised on Sunday night.
The campaign, organised by the Concern agency, featured images from Kenya, Haiti and Bangladesh on boards which were placed in the Diamond, and raised money for relief aid. Four of the boards were kicked in and stamped on, leaving one of the boards completely broken.
Long time charity worker for the Fermanagh branch of Concern, Eamonn Hoy has expressed his disgust at the heartless act of vandalism.
“We are not overly surprised that it happened over the weekend but it is very annoying that the posters were interfered with. There are boot marks on the posters where they have been kicked in and damaged. It is very disappointing because it was a good display and it was showing the hard work that Concern does in the different countries.”
The display moved to Derry on Monday but due to the actions of the vandals, one of the boards would not feature in the remainder of the campaign. Concern’s communications manager Darren Vaughan visited the display on Monday and was shocked to see the damage that was done.
“One of the boards was particularly badly damaged, with the actual corex being kicked in and I do not think we will be able to use it again.
“The rest of the display will be salvaged, cleaned and fixed up. It is very disappointing for us because the display has spent a week in Belfast, and it was really well received and there were no issues. It has been good to have had a week here in Enniskillen, and we have such a good support group here but it is very disappointing that it ends likes this.”
Local businessman, Jonathan Styles of Mercers Jewellers has condemned the behaviour of those involved.
“The people who have vandalised it have no idea the good work that Concern do, the importance of it and the trouble that people went to putting the display together. It is an example of how little respect people have for issues like this. When I did see it going up, I thought about how it would be protected, and putting it in the centre of Enniskillen is a true test to any display of that sort and if it can survive a weekend in Enniskillen, it can survive a weekend anywhere. It is not a good sign, it is embarrassing, shameful, very sad and disappointing.”
The campaign featured images from Kenya, Haiti and Bangladesh showing the reality of urban life for some of the world’s poorest countries.
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