Mule rider suspected of serious damage at Abbeyleix Bog

A MULE rider is suspected of causing serious damage at one of the beautiful looped walks on Abbeyleix Bog.

About 30 sleepers were broken or damaged on the Killamuck loop walk, between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Part of the Killamuck loop walk has been closed, while volunteers try to replace the broken sleepers on the bog bridge, between the Coleman’s Road junction and the old Killamuck Road entrance.

The Abbeyleix Bog Project group are investigating the damage and issued an appeal for information on social media on Tuesday evening.

In an update today on the Abbeyleix community page, a representative said: ‘From information gathered, it appears that around 8pm on Monday evening, a horse (mule) and rider were seen along the railway track and later on Killamuck Loop.

‘This appears to be the cause of damage and we would like to speak to him. A car was noticed at the old entrance to the loop walk ( Killamuck Road) at around this time.

‘Anyone with further information or who walked the bog between 7pm and 9pm, particularly on the outer loop, please email info@abbeyleixbog.’ Abbeyleix Bog Project volunteers said they appreciated all information received so far, in helping to trace the cause of the upsetting and costly damage.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to email info@abbeyleixbog.ie in strict confidence.

The award-winning site's former railway line provides an elevated walking trail and connects to a boardwalk and bog bridge, which were painstakingly constructed by volunteers.