Local councillor slams vandalism at popular swimming spot

Sinn Féin Councillor Pearse McGeough has condemned vandalism at Salterstown as a "deliberate and pre-meditated act" as grinders were used to dismantle signs put up to help with the flow of traffic in the area.

In 2020, following consultation with local residents, Cllr McGeough was successful in bringing a motion before the Ardee/Mid-Louth Council seeking a traffic management plan to alleviate what he described as ‘Bedlam’ in the popular sea-swimming area.

Cllr McGeough said: “In July 2021, just as we were enjoying a heat wave and traffic to Salterstown increased, signs were erected encouraging people to adhere to a one-way system along the narrow road at peak times.

"At high tide times the traffic increases resulting in gridlock on the narrow roads around the area and Bedlam ensued.

"Obviously this would only be in operation during peak times. It alleviated the problem somewhat.”

However, it was reported to Cllr McGeough that at some time over the past couple of weeks, the signage had been removed.

Cllr McGeough said: “I called to the area and the poles were still in situ but the signage had indeed disappeared and appears to have been removed in a very deliberate way using a grinder or some such tool.

"That suggests that the vandals came prepared and the act was very much premeditated.

“I contacted the Council and the signage will be replaced soon at a cost to you and me, the tax payers.

"The Council has better things to be doing than cleaning up after people who have no thought for the local community of Salterstown or who have nothing better to do with themselves than be destructive. "They offer nothing positive to any community.”

Cllr McGeough commended the members of the local community who attempted to re-erect the signage on a temporary basis until the Council replaces them which should be in the very near future.