School attacked over detained horses

Gardaí believe a vandalism attack at an infants’ school in Limerick was linked to the impounding of two stray horses.

More than €7,000 worth of damage was caused to Southill Junior Primary School.

Twenty windows were smashed with iron bars and the roof was also damaged.

Garda Supt Daniel Keane said: “This was an outrageous act of vandalism. We are 100% satisfied it was carried out by a number of youths because two horses, which had been allowed roam the area, were impounded after concerned residents contacted the gardaí and Limerick City Council.”

Supt Keane said there were also issues of cruelty regarding the two horses.

New signs erected in the area were also vandalised.

Supt Keane said: “The words ‘we want our horses back’ were daubed on the signs. Since the attack on the school, we have placed additional patrols in the area.

“This was wanton vandalism, very pointed and very deliberate. The attack on the school was systematic — it wasn’t a case of people throwing rocks or stones.”

Children were back in their classrooms yesterday.