Cyclist lucky to escape neck-high barbed wire ‘booby trap’ on Co Wicklow trail

A mountain bike rider had a fortunate escape from what he describes as a barbed wire “booby trap” on a trail in Co Wicklow.

The cyclist, who wishes to remain anonymous, was taking on the trail at Downs Hill, Willow Grove, near Delganey when he came across barbed wire stretched between two trees at neck height earlier this month.

Yesterday he told Stickybottle.com - a website dedicated to Irish cyclist enthusiasts - that while the track is not an official mountain bike trail, it is known locally to be used by cyclists.

Posting on his social media account the cyclist said he was “absolutely raging” over the incident.

“Absolutely raging at some evil bastard who decided to booby trap some local mountain bike trails on Downs Hill,” the cyclist said in the post.

The cyclist shows the barbed wire at Downs Hill, Co Wicklow. Picture: Stickybottle.com

“It started with a few sticks etc and has escalated to a point where I narrowly missed barbed wire strung across the track at neck height at a jump.”

A picture of another booby trap on the trail. Picture: Stickybottle.com

Gardaí have said they are yet to receive a report on this incident, however they have asked the public to contact them if they come across acts of this type.

* Pictures courtesy of Stickybottle.com