Diamond Park playground ‘unlikely’ to reopen this year as main structures dismantled
Diamond Park is likely to remain closed off for at least the remainder of the year, Dublin City Council (DCC) has confirmed, following a string of arson attacks on the amenity.
The latest attack on the playground took place last month as it had been preparing to reopen following another attack in October, which caused up to €400,000 worth of damage.
Council documents seen by the Irish Independent reveal that the park was a hive of antisocial behaviour in the months leading up to the Halloween attack on the play structure, which first led to the facility being closed off.
An on-site contractor has now dismantled the last of the damaged multi-storey playground structure, leaving a fenced-off empty space in place of the former flagship playground.
A sign on the park’s outer fencing reads: “Diamond Park playground will remain closed until further notice due to vandalism and antisocial behaviour.”
A DCC spokesperson said a new playground would be designed and procured, but “construction is unlikely to take place in 2026”,
“All other elements of the park are well maintained and open to the public,” they said. “There is no costing as yet on the cost of the new playground.”
Les Moore, DCC head of parks services, told yesterday’s council meeting that the intention was now to move the playground to another area of the park following the damage.
Diamond Park, which was extensively renovated and opened by former Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe in 2023, is one of the few green spaces in Dublin’s north inner city.
Local representatives were unified in their condemnation of those responsible, with Lord Mayor Ray McAdam telling the Irish Independent that justice will be sought for the “disgraceful attack” on the much loved local amenity.
“Diamond Park belongs to local children, families and the wider community, and those responsible for destroying it must be identified and held accountable,” he said.
Labour TD for Dublin Central, Marie Sherlock, described the damage as “soul-destroying”.
“This is not the first time. I’ve lost count at this stage,” she added.
Suggesting an increased security presence to combat repeat incidents, Ms Sherlock said questions need to be asked around enhanced enforcement.
In response to the upswing in antisocial behaviour, the council introduced a roving security team in April that would patrol parks and respond to incidents as part of a six-month trial.