The break-in into the pop-up Covid-19 test centre at the former St Aloysius College in Athlone has been described as the “lowest of the low” and “disgusting” by public representatives this week.
Gardai have confirmed that three laptops and three phones were taken from the test centre during an incident which is alleged to have taken place in the days prior to the facility reopening on Friday last. Human faeces was also present at the scene.
Currently, the pop-up test centre is operating twice weekly for a three week period in an attempt to quell the spread of the virus within the community.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser this week, Deputy Mayor of Athlone, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, noted his “absolute disgust” upon hearing of the incident early on Friday morning last.
“I received a phone call from a staff member working at the pop-up test centre to say that the building had been robbed and important equipment taken. At first I couldn’t believe it, I thought ‘this can’t be right’, who in their right mind would do such at a thing to such a critical service?
“I went straight to the centre to witness the scene for myself and to meet with the staff. I spoke to Joanne Daly, the test centre co-ordinator who was remarkably calm and practical with regard to the incident. Joanne and her colleagues conducted their work in an alternative location within the building different part of the building which enabled the local Gardai to complete their forensic work and the HSE to proceed with their Covid-19 testing process.
“Amazingly, the staff ensured that the test centre swiftly returned to operational mode, albeit in a manual way, and they were busy with a steady queue of personnel who presented to be tested.
“When I witnessed what these individuals conducted in the building I was absolutely disgusted. Apart from robbing important equipment, they did left faeces on the floor, utterly appalling behaviour.
“I also spoke to Superintendent David Nolan about the situation and he assured me that the Gardai were working hard to establish the identity of the perpetrators.
“I thought I had seen it all, but this had to be the lowest of the low. Apart from taking equipment with little or no real value to the vandals, they then went on to cause wanton damage to the building and left their mark in many ways. It was a deplorable scene.
“This crime must be punished with a stiff and meaningful sanction. I sincerely hope this is not a slap on the wrist scenario for the perpetrators who will no doubt plead some hard luck story and I would urge members of the local public with any information in relation to this incident to come forward to the Gardai in confidence,” Cllr O’Rourke stated.
Echoing similar sentiments, Cathaoirleach, Westmeath Council, Cllr Frankie Keena, stated that the damage perpetrated at the pop-up test centre was “simply unforgivable”.
“The damage perpetrated was unforgivable with essential equipment stolen and the centre used a toilet by these particular individuals who must be held accountable for their intolerable actions.
“The test centre is provided to assist the general public as we continue to contend with this pandemic and to witness it being vandalised by such mindless individuals is most annoying. I am wholly angry with regard to this particular incident,” the Cathaoirleach asserted.
Sergeant Andrew Haran confirmed to the Athlone Advertiser that investigations were ongoing with regard to the incident, noting that forensic work was conducted at the scene.
Despite the incident, Covid-19 swabbing proceeded at the test centre with 170 tests conducted on Friday last. The Tuesday prior (July 6 ) saw 112 tests conducted on site.
The pop-up test centre remains operational tomorrow (Friday, July 16 ), Tuesday, July 20 and Friday, July 23.
