Two arrested for Thomond Park vandalism

Two youths were arrested by gardaí this morning in connection with last month's attack by vandals at Limerick's historic rugby ground, Thomond Park.

Up to €20,000 worth of damage was caused on September 14 last when hundreds of sods of turf were dug up on the main playing pitch. The damage, which was carried out in broad day light, ran the whole length of the pitch and resulted in the cancellation of a number of fixtures due to be played at the Limerick rugby venue.

A note containing obscene language directed at the gardai was the only item recovered at the scene. Gardaí arrrested two youths this morning in connection with the incident and they are being held for questioning at Mayorstone Garda Station under Sectoin Four of the Criminal Justice Act.

The youths aged 16 and 18 were arrested shortly after 9am in the Moyross area of the city.

Todays's arrests were the first arrests in relation to the vandalism attack at Thomond Park which will remain closed until later this month. At the time the IRFU said it was forced to close the grounds for five weeks because of the "severe damage" caused to the pitch's surface.

Last week, a spokesman for the rugby authority confirmed that Thomond Park will be open in time for Munster's first Heineken Cup home encounter which is due to be played at the end of the month.

The spokesman said that work on the surface was "progressing on schedule" and that Thomond Park would re-open on October 22 next. The first match due to be played at Thomond Park when it re-opens is the AIB All Ireland League match between Shannon and Galwegians.

Shannon coach and former Irish captain Mick Galwey was one of the first names in Irish rugby to publicly condemn last month's incident at Thomond Park which sent shock waves through local sporting and businesss communities.

Munster are due to take on French side Castres at Thomond Park in the first Heineken Cup home match on October 29 next.