festive fools | 

‘Merry’ vandals who climbed Christmas tree causing €800 damage brought crashing down to earth

“You have until 5pm this evening to pay up, or this footage goes public and goes to the Gardaí”

Today at 12:25

Vandals who climbed up a town’s Christmas tree causing €800 of damage have been brought crashing back down to earth.

People in the Co Donegal town of Buncrana were left outraged when they awoke on Saturday morning to find the town’s Christmas tree damaged.

It transpired that a number of ‘merry’ youths became over enthusiastic and caused damage to the town’s centre-piece by trying to climb up it.

The vandalism was even more annoying as many people in the town had chipped in and raised more than €3,600 for the town’s lights and tree as part of a Go Fund Me campaign in recent weeks.

Luckily, the festive frolics were caught on CCTV.

The organisers then gave the young culprits until 5pm on Saturday evening or threatened that their faces would go public.

Organisers warned “We’ve got an appointment at the Garda station tonight, with clear footage of the four idiots who caused over €800 damage to the Christmas tree.

“You have until 5pm this evening to pay up, or this footage goes public and goes to the Gardaí”.

Quicker than Dasher and Comet, the culprits decided the best course of action was to apologise and repay the €800 in damage they caused.

And in the true meaning of Christmas forgiveness and peace, the town’s Christmas lights are shining bright once again.

A spokesperson said “At least those who did it got in touch, and sincerely apologised for their antics, and footed the bill.

“We have a top quality CCTV camera covering the area, and you will be seen.

“We all ask everyone please please stay off the tree and decorations. They have been bought and paid for by all the community through the years.

“Every single penny donated goes back in, we have the best voluntary Christmas lights committee in Ireland, and their time and effort makes Buncrana shine bright year after year.”