This article is from page 18 of the 2006-06-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
THE spiteful vandal that put the vehicles available to an emergency medical service out of action knew what they were doing, it was revealed this week.
But it is not clear whether the person, or persons, who slashed all the tyres on the Shannon Doc vehicle parked outside the hospital in Ennis, were acting out of a personal vendetta or just wanton vandalism.
The ruthless slasher cut all the wheels of the Shannon Doc vehicle parked on the grounds on the Mid Western Regional Hospital Ennis, during the last bank holiday weekend, before attacking the on-call doctor’s car.
Not content with putting both cars beyond use, the vandal then slashed the tyres on the private car of Shannon Doc’s designated driver.
During the mindless rampage, single tyres on other cars parked close to the Shannon Doc vehicles were also cut.
Shannon Doc Supervisor for the Clare area, Sean Lyons, said he was not willing to speculate if it was wanton vandalism or a personnel vendetta, but said the incident put lives at risk
“They could even have put one of their own families lives at risk had they needed the emergency service,” he pointed out.
The car was equipped with emergency equipment, including a defibrillator and oxygen.
The staff had to transfer all of the equipment into a taxi when an emergency call came in shortly after the attack, losing vital minutes.
“It was almost like interfering with an ambulance,” said Mr Lyons.
Despite being one of its busiest times, an Ennis taxi service gave priority to Shannon Doc, according to the service’s spokesperson.
“We are very grateful to all the people involved who assisted on the night,” said the Shannon Doc manager based in Limerick, Larry Maher, paying tribute to the taxi firm, the Shannon Doc staff and supervisor.
The doctors beginning the morning shift used their own cars until the emergency vehicle was repaired, ensuring that all calls could be responded to.
Gardaí in Ennis say they are investigating the incident. Shannon Doc have two other units in Clare.