THEY'RE FIXED: Dan Leen from Killarney DIY has fixed the vandalised wooden sculptures in The Demense. Photo: Michelle Crean

EXCLUSIVE

By Sean Moriarty

Vandalised woodwork sculptures in The Demense have been repaired within a day – thanks to a kind-hearted local company.

The Leen family, who operate Killarney DIY, came to the rescue and have since repaired two sculptures which were broken on Wednesday night along the River Deenagh walk from the bridge on Port Road to Deenagh Cottage.

West Cork artist Sol Solomon created the seven works of art that represent a heron, a red squirrel, a kingfisher, an otter a pine marten and a white-fronted goose which were installed in March after being commissioned by the Killarney Looking Good Committee with support from Kerry County Council, with the idea to encourage children and members of the public to take an interest in the wild life in the park.

Earlier this week the white-fronted goose and the heron carvings were vandalised, the heron’s neck was snapped off and the goose was ripped from it base.
“It is heart-breaking,” Killarney Looking Good Chairperson Yvonne Quill told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

Dan Leen was able to create a wood-dowel and repair the point where the heron’s neck was snapped off.

The legs of the goose were too badly damaged to repair properly, but Dan created a round base and was able to re-install the sculpture on its plinth on Thursday morning.

“It is a shame to have to use my skills for something like this,” Dan told the Killarney Advertiser. “They are better served on something else. This is being done by people acting the gom, being the hardman, it is the same when you see flowers damaged.”

Both Dan and Yvonne suggested the installation CCTV cameras to monitor the area to prevent further damage in the future.

“They have caught people fly-tipping this way in the past,” Dan added.