Multiple incidents of vandalism and destruction have left Benburb residents frustrated and calling on those involved to stop.
And now Benburb Priory has added its voice in urging young people to cease their actions which only serve to damage their own local community.
The Priory has posted details of several incidents over recent weeks and shared an image of damage caused to a window in the historic Servite property.
Taking to social media to get their message across, the Priory expressed “disappointment” at an increase in anti-social behaviour around its historic building and surrounding grounds in recent weeks.
Damage had been caused to the Grotto and flowerbeds along with broken windows.
“Sadly, this appears to involve a small group of young people, confirmed from footage on security cameras,” according to the Priory’s post on social media.
“With the school summer holidays underway now, we hope everyone will show respect for the shared spaces that so many work hard to maintain.
“Let’s all help keep our community a safe, welcoming place for everyone to enjoy. Thank you for your support.”
When the appeal was shared at the weekend, it prompted others to highlight details of further incidents in the area showing that the vandalism had not been confined to the Priory alone.
One reported that flower baskets on the Main Street in the village had been vandalised last week.
Graves had also been vandalised within the local churchyard, causing great annoyance to relatives who arrived to discover the damage.
Planters – filled and tended by the local community group at the Parish Hall – were damaged too, with plants having to be replaced twice last week.
A member of the community group said they were now having to keep a close watch on the flowers planted in a bid to prevent further episodes.
And echoing calls made by the Priory for those involved to stop, having noticed an increase since school holidays began, she added: “The anti-social behaviour is getting out of hand.”
