Rowing boats worth €32k used as fuel for bonfire

SIX competition rowing boats worth a total of €32,000 were used as firewood on a Good Friday bonfire by a group of youths drinking by the River Lee.

Sergeant Alex Butler described yesterday how this occurred at the National Rowing Centre in Farran, Co Cork. One of the accused, Eric Holmes, aged 22, of Ballineastig, Farran, Co Cork, pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to his part in the arson.

Sgt Butler said a group of youths congregated in the woods and lit a bonfire where they were drinking on Good Friday of April 10, 2009, and into the early hours of the morning.