Donal Hickey: Graffiti on an 800-year-old friary in Cork

Damage has also been caused to a number of monuments by people unwittingly churning them up by driving scramblers or quad bikes over them

Gardaí in Rathcormac are investigating criminal damage to a national monument in Castlelyons, County Cork. This Carmelite Friary was founded in c.1307 and most of the existing buildings date back to the 15th Century. Damaging a national monument like this abbey in Castlelyons carries a heavy fine and/or prison sentence. Picture: Garda Síochána — Cork, Kerry & Limerick — Southern Region

After a long, wet winter and spring, we're all hoping for reasonably good weather to enjoy the outdoors during the Easter holiday period. Nature reserves, cycleways, forest walks, and various parks are sure to be busy.

Some will seek out the thousands of national monuments dotting the countryside. The message from environmentalists and heritage lovers is: please respect the monuments and the owners of the property upon which they sit.