THE Mayor of Dublin has issued a public statement urging the vandals setting fire to playgrounds and park facilities across the city to “grow up and cop on”.
A number of parks have been targeted in the city in recent months, with arson attacks on playground and sports pitches vandalised.
“Over the course of this year, we have seen a deeply worrying pattern of arson and vandalism directed at children’s play facilities and community amenities across our city,” Dublin Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam said.
Diamond Park playground has been targeted by vandals in recent weeks“Playgrounds at Diamond Park in the north inner city – attacked in July and again in October – at Bridgefoot Street Park in the Liberties in October, at Sean Moore Park in September, and at Kilmore Park earlier this month of November have all suffered fire damage,” he explained.
“In St Anne’s Park, the newly installed eco-toilets were also subjected to a fire attack in October.
“On top of that, Sheriff YC have repeatedly seen their playing pitches in Fairview Park vandalised, with bonfires set in the middle of the pitch around Hallowe’en – destroying the surface, cancelling matches and wiping out weeks of work by volunteers who give their time to keep kids active and involved in sport.
“Let me be absolutely clear: this is mindless, idiotic criminal behaviour.
“It is not “a bit of messing”, it is not a prank – it is the deliberate destruction of safe, public spaces that belong to children and families, and of pitches that belong to local clubs and communities.”
The playground in Diamond Park, Lower Gardiner Street has been closed due to anti social behaviourThe Mayor has urged those responsible to realise the impact of their actions.
“When you burn a playground in Diamond Park or Kilmore, when you set fire to equipment in Bridgefoot Street or Sean Moore Park, when you wreck a pitch in Fairview Park or attack facilities in St Anne’s Park, you are not “taking on the system” – you are robbing local kids of somewhere safe and fun to play after school and at weekends.,” he said.
“You are damaging places that communities have fought for and that the Council has invested in.
“To those responsible I say this: grow up and cop on.
“You are not impressing anyone. You are letting down your neighbours, your own younger brothers and sisters, your teammates, and your community.”
The park is currently out of actionThe Mayor further confirmed he is in “ongoing contact” with the Acting Assistant Garda Commissioner and with Dublin City Council’s Deputy Chief Executive about the incidents.
“Gardaí and Council officials are working closely together to investigate these attacks, to strengthen visibility and reassurance where needed, and to support our Parks, Playgrounds and Sports teams to make these facilities safe and get them reopened and playable as quickly as possible,” he confirmed.
