Woman slams vandalism of her art
AN Easkey woman who has designed a collection of arts and crafts for a green area next to her home says she is distraught after vandals destroyed her work.
Christina Quinn of Woodlane Crescent in the coastal village says she has been having sleepless nights ever since she woke up to the disturbing scene last Thursday week.
56-year-old Christina who lives alone in the small council estate says relations between her and the neighbours have been fraught for years.
Indeed Christina was taken to court and convicted of assaulting one of her neighbours last October.
Judge Kilrane told Sligo District Court at the time that Christina ‘was on bad terms with all the residents.’
Defence solicitor Mark Mullaney said his client had been ‘subjected to a campaign of intimidation and couldn’t find it in her to extend the hand of friendship.’
Since then Christina says the situation between her and the neighbours has not improved and she believes her ornamental garden was targeted by vandals with the sole purpose of ‘stressing her out.’
“I live next door to a vacant piece of land at the end of this estate and I don’t want people using it as a dumping ground.
“So I decided to make something beautiful and keep it clean, tidy and decorated with my arts and crafts.
“Over the years I’ve had my plants and flowers pulled up and posted back through my letter box but nothing was as bad as when I woke up to this mess. The level of destruction was unreal. I was distraught.”
Christina says she called the Gardai to report the vandalism because ‘ the destruction this time was too much.’
The householder has also been in touch with Sligo County Council over ongoing issues in the estate.
“The council have a record of everything, “she claims, “and I have asked for a transfer in the past.”
Christina’s daughter Kirsty who lives in Galway is concerned for her mother.
She says: “As my Mother has been out of work for many years now she decided to try to prevent and reduce the amount of dumping on the estate.
“She has painted beautiful murals and inspiring quotes as well as making figurines from scrap material such as wooden logs and unwanted tyres.
“Someone has come up and destroyed everything she has created. Not one single craft was left untouched.
“I am in shock and devastated for my mother.
“I cannot believe that there are people out there that would want to destroy such beautiful art.
“It is very hard for my mother living here on her own. We have informed the various authorities of these events.”