Mindless vandals destroy playground

VANDALS caused thousands of euro worth of damage when they daubed almost all the equipment in a popular Northside playground with molten tar.

The act of mindless destruction and defacement put the Red Arches playground at The Coast in Baldoyle out of action during what were the warmest days of weather the country has experienced in some time.

It’s suspected that a group of reckless teenagers were to blame for the vandalism, which was carried out in broad daylight in a

“very methodical and vindictive

? manner.

Furious mum Karey Lewis said she was shocked to discover the level of destruction caused on the afternoon of May 17.

“I go there all the time with my children and just couldn’t believe it when I saw that almost every play piece had been covered with tar,

? she told Northside People.

“I went back down to the playground a few days later to see if I could scrape the tar off the slide, which was ruined but there was no getting it off.

“The seats were covered in the tar and so were the chains of the swings.

“Whoever was responsible for it was very methodical and very vindictive to ensure that nothing in the playground could be used.

?

Local man Paul Kavanagh, who often brings his granddaughter to the playground, struggled to understand the

“weird mentality

? that would lead someone to cause so much destruction.

“It’s absolute mindless vandalism,

? he declared.

“If it was graffiti, at least you could still use the facility but whoever did this was determined that nothing could be used. They didn’t miss any surface.

?

A spokeswoman for Fingal County Council confirmed that they had received a number of reports regarding the vandalism at the Red Arches playground.

“Our staff have inspected the damage, and it appears that a black tar-like substance was spread on the play equipment, play surfaces and the gates to the playground,

? she stated.

“A specialist contractor also carried out an inspection and repairs are scheduled to start next week.

“At present, we do not know the cost of carrying out these repairs, as it is uncertain how this substance may be removed or if the removal process may damage the equipment further.

?

Fingal County Council spends in the region of $3 million every year cleaning up vandalised play facilities. It said it will cover the cost of the repair and replacement of equipment at the Red Arches playground. The facility cost $120,000 to build.

“It should be noted that with ever reducing budgets and funding, it is more and more difficult for the council to continue to repair/replace equipment which is unnecessarily and criminally damaged by vandalism,

? said the spokeswoman.

“We are anxious to continue to provide the level of services to the public as always.

“In the present economic situation that more and more families find themselves in, free activities such as council provided playgrounds, public parks, libraries and sports pitches are used more than ever.

?

Fingal County Council reported the incident to the gardai.

“The playground will be monitored by gardai and council staff,

? the spokeswoman added.

“We urge members of the public to report any suspicious behaviour to the gardai in the hope that further vandalism will be prevented.

?