Kinnegad club has second mower stolen in space of two years

The local soccer club in Kinnegad have been left fuming after thieves broke into the club's property on the Killucan Road and - for the second time in just over two years - stole a ride-on lawnmower worth thousands of euro.

Between Thursday July 30 and Bank Holiday Monday August 3, burglars broke into Kinnegad Juniors' locked portacabin container at Lagan Park and made off with the contents.

David Vaz, Kinnegad Juniors club chairman, said that "everything" was taken, including a blue Iseki ride-on lawnmower valued at €3,500, a strimmer valued at €550, and miscellaneous items worth a total of €300 - all indispensable tools for the week-to-week upkeep of the club.

In addition, the portacabin was damaged to the tune of €500.

"This is the second time that we have had a break-in and both times, a ride-on mower has been stolen," Mr Vaz told the Westmeath Examiner, adding that the club's first lawnmower had been stolen in May 2013.

"This is heartbreaking for the club. We work hard as a committee and receive a lot of support from the parents and local businesses to help raise funds for these items.

"We would hope that the gardaí can catch the culprits and retrieve our goods.

"We would like to ask the greater community of Kinnegad and Westmeath to look out for these items, and if there is anyone that can help with the use or contribution of a ride-on mower, then please contact the club."

Mr Vaz invited people to contact the committee, or gardaí in Kinnegad (044 937 5112) or Mullingar (044 938 4000), if they witnessed any suspicious activity in the vicinity of Lagan Park between Thursday and Monday last.