Drogheda Mayor, Cllr Declan Power, has condemned vandals who are stealing precious stones from the historic walls of Millmount.
He visited the heritage site to assess the damage along with Shane Heeney and Patricia Leech last week.
He questioned the motives of those involved and why they deliberately targeted one of the most famous areas of the town.
The Mayor said: “I visited Millmount with Shane Heeney and Patricia Leech to assess the damage caused by stones being deliberately removed from the historic wall. What we saw was shameful, an act of vandalism against one of Drogheda’s most important cultural and heritage landmarks.
“Millmount is not just a building. It is a symbol of our town’s identity, our history and our story.
“When someone pulls stones from the wall, they’re not just damaging a structure, they’re attacking our heritage whether they know it or not.
“I want to thank Shane and Patricia for raising the alarm and for their ongoing care for the site. Their commitment reflects what so many in Drogheda feel: Millmount deserves respect, protection and pride.”
Cllr Power confirmed he will be engaging with the relevant authorities to ensure the immediate assessment of the damage and what protective measures are needed to prevent any further damage.
He added: “This behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated. Drogheda’s heritage belongs to us all and we must do all we can to protect it.”
Parts of the old fort of Millmount such as the Mound date back 3,000 years and according to folklore is the burial place of the Celtic poet Amhairgin.
The Motte and the Bailey Castle was built on the site by Hugh de Lacy around 1172, the 12th century. The Barracks and some of the courtyard buildings were constructed in 1714, a few years after the Battle of the Boyne.
The iconic Martello Tower on the top of Millmount was erected around 1808 by the British.
Millmount has always been affectionately known by the people of Drogheda as “the cup and saucer.”