Vandalism forces wheelchair centre to cancel services

An Irish Wheelchair Association centre in Co Kildare was forced to cancel its services this week after vandals caused thousands…

An Irish Wheelchair Association centre in Co Kildare was forced to cancel its services this week after vandals caused thousands of euro worth of damage.

Thugs broke the windscreens on the Clane centre's buses, damaged cars in the mobility training centre and smashed a huge window in the day room.

It is believed the attack occurred between 7.30 and 8 a.m. on New Year's Day.

"This has a huge impact on people with disabilities. Most of the service users that come into us rely totally on us for any contact to the outside world," said Ms Ruth McEvoy, centre service co-ordinator.

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"We were able to restore some services yesterday and we had people coming in giving us hugs and kisses, thankful that we were open. We hope to be fully up and running on Monday," Ms McEvoy added.

"These vandals, they might need us one day, or their mothers or fathers might need us one day. You just don't know what is around the corner. It's upsetting for our staff and our users. It's so mindless. We are very angry."

This is the second serious attack on the building. Last year vandals attempted to burn down the mobility centre, where wheelchair users are taught to drive adapted cars. Under-age drinking has been rife on the grounds.

"We have problems at the weekends. We come in on Monday and there could be 15 to 20 cans strewn around, along with other unsavoury things shoved into the hedge. The gardaí have said they will check the area every night," she said.

The centre provides vital services for people with disabilities throughout Kildare and parts of Offaly.

"People can take on computer and Fetac courses. They can do art, pottery, and ceramics. They meet other people, play cards, and we have two women who come to set up a beauty salon where they can get their hair and make-up done, get their eyebrows waxed, whatever. They get to do things they do not have access to," said Ms McEvoy.

Thirty service users are collected each day by the association's buses from areas including Edenderry, Naas, Straffan, Celbridge, Maynooth and Rathangan. Demand for such services is high with 10 people currently on a waiting list.