Gardaí are investigating a fire that destroyed a bug hotel on Kilkenny-Waterford border
The Ink Bottle Bug Hotel damaged in Piltown. Credit: Keep Piltown Tidy on Facebook.
Gardaí in Piltown have launched an investigation after The Ink Bottle Bug Hotel was destroyed in a fire.
Gardaí are treating the incident as criminal damage, and the scenes of crime unit has visited the site.
The incident occurred on Sunday, September 14, between midnight at 7:30 am.
The bug hotel is located close to the church in Piltown.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information on the "mindless damage of this unit" to contact the Piltown Garda Station or call the confidential line 1800 666 111.
Bug hotels are structures that gives insects a place to shelter while breeding or hibernating and are a way of protecting wildlife, in particular pollinators from predators and the elements.
The Ink Bottle Bug Hotel was constructed by Keep Piltown Tidy and sponsored by Centra Hicksons and John O’Shea Trust, earlier this year.
A redevelopment of the old gate lodge at Belline House, the bug hotel had five layers and included a section for nesting birds and bats.
Keep Piltown Tidy said on social media that they are “disappointed and hurt” by the incident.
