Estimated €15,000 worth of damage caused to Offaly milk dispensing business

An estimated €15,000 worth of damage has been caused to a business in Offaly which provides milk to customers through a vending machine.

Taking to social media, Boora Bainne Milk Company, located one kilometre away from the Lough Boora Discovery Park, reported that two vending machines which provide reusable glass milk bottles and milk, as well as the glass door to the hut that contains the machines, were vandalised at 12.15am on Thursday morning.

Owner Paul Molloy described the machine which dispenses the bottles as a “write-off”, while the damage to the other machine was extensive.

However, as the business is closed on Wednesday and because the majority of customers use their bank cards for payment, there was little cash in the machines.

A box which contains mostly 50c, 20c and 10c coins was also stolen.

Paul expects the business to be out of action for some weeks, as the products are sourced from England and can take a long time to be delivered to Ireland.

“I only opened on the July Bank Holiday weekend, but if you dwell on these things you can go into a negative spin,” Paul said.

“I’ve had a lot of private messages from people. I want to thank everyone for all their support both today, and for their support to date."

Gardaí are investigating the matter, and anybody with information is being asked to contact Birr Garda Station at 057 916 9710.