Derry Christmas illuminations vandalism cost £50,000

The cost of damage caused to festive Illuminations across the Derry City and Strabane District Council area during the  Christmas period last year amounted to almost £50,000, it has been revealed.

The matter was discussed at a recent monthly meeting of the council's Council’s Environment and Regeneration Committee at which members approved additional budget to cover the costs associated with damage to a number of  trees and illuminations across the city and district during the festive period.

Conor Canning, head of ennvironment with the council, outlined to members of the committee how the local authority had invested significantly over the years in its festive lighting scheme.

He said there was a  hugely positive response to the illuminations, in particular, the artificial trees erected in Derry city centre, Ebrington, Strabane town centre and at the Let the Dance Begin sculpture and also in Sion Mills.

He said the  trees and lighting generated many positive comments and reactions, both locally and beyond, and were a welcome and enhanced addition to the Council’s extensive lighting programme.

He said it was unfortunate, however, that there were several reported instances of vandalism to trees across the council area, in particular the trees in Derry’s Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place, which were targeted on a number of occasions.

Repair work on the trees was carried out during the period, with the total cost amounting to almost £50,000.  He added that whilst vandalism attacks had taken place in previous years, the frequency and scale of the incidents over the festive period of 2021 resulted in additional costs to council that had not been included in the original allocated budget.

He said council was looking at a number of ways to improve designs and to put in additional preventable measures going forward.

Elected members at the meeting expressed their shock and disappointment at the acts of vandalism and condemned the attacks saying it was important the public were informed of the impact and cost the vandalism was having on ratepayers.

Committee chairperson, Cllr Ruairi McHugh, said “I am extremely shocked at the scale and cost of vandalism of our hugely popular  Christmas lights. By making these costs public, I hope it will deter incidents in the years ahead, and encourage people to report acts of vandalism to the relevant authorities.” 

Cllr McHugh also paid tribute to the staff across the council involved in the Christmas Illuminations pro- gramme for their ongoing work and commitment in promoting the city and district.