Firefighters battling to extinguish fires on Slievenamon targeted by thieves
Sarah Slater
Firefighters battling to extinguish the fires on Slievenamon were targeted by thieves who ransacked their vehicles in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Cahir Fire Station firefighters were targeted as they fought wildfires in Ballypatrick over the last several days. Cars, vans and jeeps parked outside the fire station were broken into on the fifth day of battling the fires.
Tools they use for daily use were taken and some of the vehicles were damaged.
Fires on Slievenamon have been raging since Monday last Independent councillor Máirín McGrath from Cahir, Co Tipperary condemned the actions of thieves calling them “selflsh lowlifes”.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following “a number of incidents of theft and criminal damage to motor vehicles parked on Barrack Street, Cahir, on Saturday morning between 12.30am and 1.30am.
Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, are asked to make this footage available to garda.
Cllr McGrath said the theft of firefirghter’s belongings is “so demoralising for our firefighters in Cahir Fire Station to have their vehicles at the station last night broken in to and some of their belongings stolen, while they continue to fight the fire on Slievenamon".
She continued: “These selfless individuals haven’t been home to their families for days while selfish lowlifes take advantage of them.
McGrath described their behaviour as “disgusting”. Local gardai confirmed that a number of the vehicles had been targeted by thieves at Cahir Fire Station.
A GoFundMe page has been set-up in aid of the firefighters following the thefts.
Arthur Bielejewski, a friend of one of the firefighters, explained that a friend who works in the fire brigade called him to inform him about the thefts.
“While lads were on call fighting (the) wildfire for several days last night (Friday) they came back to the station to discover that someone had broken into their cars and robbed them. There are tools and personal belongings missing,” Bielejewski said in an online statement.
“These lads are ordinary working men like you and me. Their tools are now gone. (They) are here for us every day no matter the time (or) weather.”
Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service said they had a "tough evening" on Saturday as there were a lot of flare-ups.
Following a reduction over recent days, the council said fire activity has increased once again on the southern side of Slievenamon.
Although “a number of hotspots remain, these continue to be closely monitored and managed by crews on the ground,” the council added.
On Sunday night, Tipperary County Council said firefighting efforts were continuing on Slievenamon as ground operations intensified.
“Crews remain active on the south side of the mountain, responding to flare-ups and hotspots, while monitoring continues across the wider area,” the council said in a statement.
Specialist equipment is supporting firefighters in challenging terrain, and a multi-agency response remains in place to contain and suppress fire activity. Smoke may be intermittently visible on the eastern side of Slievenamon.
“Residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions, are being advised to take appropriate precautions if necessary."
