By Paul McElwee

Statues of wildlife animals, situated at Burn Walk in the Head of the Town, were vandalised over the weekend.

On Monday, it was discovered that two of the five statues had been damaged, with scratches to the faces of both.

The statues were only erected two months ago and bring pleasure to the many children who go to visit them.

Local resident, Mickey Mullen, was the one who came across the destruction.

"I go up to the statues almost every day, just to look at them and tend to the area, sweeping up and such. When I saw the statues on Monday I was sickened by what had been done.

"It's the talk of the area. It looks like they have been scratched with nails almost; such is the damage to them."

"I did seea group of youths hanging around the statues. One of them had a hammer in his hand.

"I called out to ask what they were doing. All I got for my troubles was a mouthful of abuse."

Council Chairman Jarlath Mc Nulty said the vandals have earned the wrath of the local community.

"The 'Burn Walk,' is a valued environmental and recreational asset for the community in this part of the town and local people are extremely angry.

"Sinn Fein has been given the names of a number of young people allegedly involved in this act of wanton vandalism and if can be established with certainty that it was these young people, we will be approaching parents to make them aware of what has happened.

The statues are sponsored by the Woodland Trust and were made by Liam Kennedy. Students also had a hand in the design of the statues, with pupils choosing what animals were used in the display.