TWO men were charged last night with attempted burglary and arson after a boxing club in the grounds of a Co Armagh GAA facility was badly damaged.
The roof, wall and an outside shelter at Phoenix Boxing Club on North Street in Lurgan were damaged in a fire which was reported at about 5.40am yesterday.
Two men, aged 21 and 22, were later arrested in nearby Victoria Place. They are to appear before Craigavon Magistrates Court on March 23.
The boxing club has operated from a pre-fabricated hut in the grounds of St Peter’s GAA club for more than four years.
Exercise classes were also held in the hut four times a week.
Coach Martin Toland said the hut, used as a training area for the club’s 30 members, was so badly damaged he did not think it could be used again.
“It’s a health hazard to even go into,” he said.
“At the moment, it doesn’t look like it would take much force to push it down.”
Mr Toland said that although the club would be able to salvage some punch bags, equipment including headgear and the ring were unusable.
However, he said that although the fire had disrupted the club’s schedule it “will be back as strong as ever”.
“Our club is open to everybody and always will be,” he said.
“Boxing is a sport where everybody gets on with everybody.”
Sinn Féin councillor Catherine Seeley said the arson attack had shocked people in the area.
“People are absolute sickened after hearing the news of the arson attack on the Phoenix Boxing Club,” she said.
“It is a relief no-one was injured but it is a huge blow to those who volunteer their time every evening of the week to provide a facility for the community.
“It is also a blow for those young people training for competitions and for personal fitness in the club.
“The club is due to have some improvement work done over the next number of weeks and I will now be contacting the funders to ensure this project has not been jeopardised.”
