Playground Torched

LOCAL residents in Ballymun are being urged to help protect their local park after a children’s play area was torched by drunken youths.
Poppintree Park cost

?¬8 million to develop and is one of the key amenity projects in the area’s regeneration programme, but it has been targeted by vandals several times since it opened just four years ago.
In the latest attack on Friday, September 26, a play area used by younger children was destroyed and playground equipment set alight.
Local residents were shocked when they arrived at the park the following morning with their children to find the playground littered with broken bottles and debris.
Later in the day local councillor Noeleen Reilly (SF) witnessed children playing amongst the rubble and empty beer cans in the blackened playground.

“I think some people have little to be doing, destroying a playground that young children use,

? she said.

“Poppintree Park is a fantastic facility for the Ballymun community. We are very lucky to have such amenities on our doorsteps and it is shocking that a small group of anti-social elements would look to destroy these.

“Part of the area is now gutted. I have asked the council to cordon off the area as it is currently a health hazard.

?
A spokesperson for Dublin City Council told Northside People:

“The slide unit was damaged by fire and quotes for repair work are being sought at present.

“The damage has been assessed and quotes for repairs are being sought.

?
The latest anti-social incident in the park is by no means an isolated one and in recent times the council has spent around

?¬4,000 on repairs.
Last year a swan was found dead in the park’s pond. It’s believed a gang of youths drinking in the park threw a bottle at the defenceless swan causing its death. A few months previously another swan died from horrific injuries after being attacked by a dog.
Poppintree Park was opened in a blaze of publicity in 2010 by then Lord Mayor, Gerry Breen. The timber-framed play equipment was specially selected for its high play value and is a popular feature for parents with young children.
Two years ago the park was declared Best Public Park at the Local Authority Members’ Association (LAMA) Awards and was described as a

“safe, high quality regional park.

?