Christmas sign was stolen from Newcastle Village, Co. Dublin on the 15th of December.
Cllr Timmons says ” It’s awful to see the hard work of the ReNewcastle Community group hit like this a lot of work was put into putting up the lights and building on them every year and for someone to rob a large light banner is a new low for this community that are working hard to improve there community. The huge efforts of the ReNewcastle group have paid of this year as the Tidy Towns points increased this year . I would appeal that If anyone has seen anything or has any information I would ask them to contact Garda Frank Howe the community guard , I would ask people to keep an eye on anyone selling a large light up Banner”
Before and after pictures of the missing sign.
A representative of the ReNewcastle Community Group commented, “The residents of Newcastle village are shocked and disgusted to hear that a lovely Christmas banner, erected by the volunteer Christmas Lights Group, has been stolen last Friday morning, 15th December. This aluminium banner was approximately 5 meters long and .75 meters high and depicted a central star with a wave like shape either side of the star, all lit with white lights. It was attached to 3 vertical posts with several screws and strong cable ties. It was in a very prominent place at the junction of Orchard grove and Newcastle Main Street which we believed to be a safe location due to the constant motor and pedestrian traffic”.
“This was a theft from everyone in Newcastle; Fundraising in the village pay for the lights and they give joy to everyone, both young and old. It is a very sad to think that someone would ruin a simple pleasure particularly at Christmas time. The Christmas lights installation was the first action by ReNewcastle Community Group in 2014 and people look forward to the community involvement every year. We run a free switch on event every year and extend a welcome to everyone. Newcastle has a terrific community spirit and it will not be lessened by this sad act”.