Westport business vandalised for fifth time

Westport business vandalised for fifth time


Neill O'Neill

A Westport business has had a large window smashed for the fifth time in a little over four years. The vandalism at The Heeler Store in Market Lane (pictured) was caught clearly on CCTV, with the perpetrator having been involved in a verbal dispute, then turning and lashing out at the large window with their foot.
Ross Oldfield, who owns the store, said that the damage of wanton vandals has cost him thousands of euros to repair over the last number of years. He added that if the person who carried out the damage on Sunday morning owns up and pays for it, there will be no criminal prosecution.
However, he added that if Gardaí, who confirmed that they are following a definite line of inquiry into this vandalism and expect to make an arrest soon, reach the young man before he comes forward, Ross says he will pursue both compensation and a criminal conviction in the local courts.
The incident was captured on CCTV at exactly 1.43am on Sunday morning, and a young man with dark hair can clearly be seen engaging in a heated debate with another person before lashing out at the window.  
While all the businesses in Market Lane, which is adjacent to the main town car park off Mill Street are closed at that hour, many of them have CCTV and the perpetrator’s movements have been tracked by Gardaí, after he is clearly seen leaving the scene in the direction of Brewery Lane.