Fundraiser launched to rebuild bug hotel vandalised on the Waterford Kilkenny border
Gardaí say the Ink Bottle Bug Hotel was destroyed sometime between midnight and 7:30am on Sunday, September 14.
Keep Piltown Tidy has started an idonate page to rebuild the Ink Bottle Bug Hotel that was destroyed in an act of vandalism last weekend.
They are hoping to raise €17,000 and have so far reached €1,835.
Keep Piltown Tidy posted on social media their thanks to everyone who has shown them “empathy, understanding and support” since the incident.
“We, as a group and a community are saddened and very angry by such pointless behaviour.
However, it has been decided that we are going to rebuild the Ink Bottle Bug Hotel with your help.
We are asking that if you can please donate to our fund,” wrote Keep Piltown Tidy.
They explain on their idonate page that the idea for the bug hotel came from a effort to create something unique for the entrance of the town.
The bug hotel, which provides shelter for pollinators and other wildlife during the winter months and breeding season and was originally one of the piers on the entrance to Belline House.
It was designed by the group’s chairperson, they obtained planning permission last year and local businesses funded the project.
All of the work was done by the group members.
“It was something the people of the village were very proud of, and the parish, county and further afield admired. This was seen by the response to the Saturday s night occurrence.
“The Ink Bottle Bug Hotel was destroyed last Saturday night by an act of vandalism, with only the steel frame left standing. As you can see, it s a sorry sight, wrote Keep Piltown Tidy.
They said gardaí are investigating and people have been very helpful.
If you would like to donate to the efforts to rebuild the Ink Bottle bug Hotel you can find the idonate page here.
Gardaí are appealing for information on the incident, which they are treating as criminal damage.
A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said on Monday that the incident happened between midnight and 7:30am on Sunday, September 14.
They ask that if anyone has information, they contact the Piltown Garda Station or call the confidential line 1800 666 111.
Residents, commuters and even the local national school have expressed sadness and disappointment over the incident, with one person even writing a poem.
Piltown National School posted on Tuesday that they recognised the time and commitment of Keep Piltown Tidy in building the bug hotel.
And said they were disappointed to see it destroyed.
“In school, we dedicate a great deal of time to educating our children about the importance of respecting property and caring for all living things. As parents are, and always will be, their child’s first moral educators and strongest influencers, we trust that this vital message of respect is also echoed and reinforced at home.
“Let us work together as a community to ensure that projects like the Bug Hotel – which bring learning, beauty, and joy – are protected and valued,” wrote the school.
