Longford community youth facility 'hit hard, both emotionally and financially' by callous raid
A voluntary youth community initiative is reeling after being the target of a crime that deprived them of vital resources.
Chromebooks, GoPro, cameras, camcorder, and a PC monitor were among items taken from Attic House's Ballinalee Road premises.
Last Wednesday (July 26) between 18:23 and 17:50 suspects entered the Attic House, emptied the bins, then filled them with equipment. They pushed the bins, as well as a large gas barbecue, along the footpath and through Ardnacassa.
The Gardaí detained two people in connection with the burglary, but their investigations are ongoing and any member of the public with information is asked to contact their local Garda station.
The impact on the voluntary youth community facility has been profound: “This latest episode has really hit us hard, both emotionally and financially. We hope the people of Longford will come to the fore to help us identify the person responsible and ensure we show our young people that crime does not pay,” Jim Maher, Secretary of Attic House Management Committee, said of the incident.
The volunteer says the victim of this crime was the whole community: “Crime, be it big or small, has a huge implication on the wider community. I suppose it's hard hitting because of the target of this crime. It's a voluntary community project, built and supported by the people of Longford for the people of Longford.”
This is not the first time the youth and community resource has been targeted: “The events over the past few days and indeed weeks have really hit the volunteer management committee and staff at the Attic House. Young people have turned up asking what they can do to help, which would melt your heart,” Jim said.
The stolen property facilitated many of the activities of Attic House: “The loss of this equipment has really set back the development of popular programs at the Attic House, the monthly podcast, IT support to young people, driver theory test prep for young people and other activities.”
The Secretary of Attic House Management Committee appealed for anyone who may have observed the incident to contact gardaí: “I hope that the Longford People stand together and support us to bring to justice those involved in this crime.”
Jim lamented the repercussions of the latest blow to the organisation: “The Attic House was particularly hit hard by the COVID pandemic, lack of fundraising, lack of volunteers and staff, and our constant need for core funding. This again has set an already exhausted volunteer management committee back again.”