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GAA club targeted in 'deplorable act of vandalism'

Google St Canice's GAC Dungiven - a white building with a ramp outside and the name above the entrace in IrishGoogle
St Canice's GAC Dungiven says damage was caused to a perimeter fence and a dugout was set on fire on Monday evening

A GAA club has been targeted in what it called a "deplorable act of vandalism", with a perimeter fence cut and a dugout damaged in a fire.

St Canice's GAC in Dungiven said the incident at the Páirc na nÓg ground happened on Monday evening and it urged the public to "stand against this type of anti-social behaviour".

Sinn Féin councillor Sean McGlinchey told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme that he believed the fire was started after a wheelie bin was set on fire by young people using fireworks.

The Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFRS) said they received a call about a wheelie bin fire on the Garvagh Road on Monday evening and are treating it as arson.

In a statement, the club said: "Fencing around the grounds has been damaged in several areas, and one of the dugouts has been set on fire.

"Páirc na nÓg is a vital asset within our community, used daily not only by our club but also by schools and other clubs in the town and surrounding areas.

"These facilities are offered free of charge to local clubs and schools, and we have worked hard to improve them in recent years."

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Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle on Monday, councillor Sean McGlinchey said he received a phone call late on Monday about a fire on the grounds and arrived just as fire crews were leaving.

Mr McGlinchey said he spoke to local residents and was told young people had been using fireworks near the pitch.

Councillor Sean McGlinchey - he's shaven headed and is wearing a grey top
Sean McGlinchey says reports of young people using fireworks is very worrying

"What is really alarming is young people were using fireworks and that is very concerning," Mr McGlinchey said

"There was a bin set alight and I think the firework lit the bin and then that was what caused the damage to the dugout."

He said this type of incident at the pitches was not common and hoped this was the last.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they had not received a report in relation to the incident but said that they "will engage with the club to ascertain what happened".

The NIFRS said firefighters had dealth with the incident by 20:15 BST on Monday.