‘Emotional distress for children and community’ – Louth playground vandals strike again

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

A popular Drogheda playground has been vandalised for the second time this year, Louth County Council confirmed.

The local authority has strongly condemned the recent act of vandalism at Moneymore Playground in Drogheda in the last week which caused “significant damage to the facilities, creating a safety hazard and resulting in substantial repair costs.”

The council said the estimated cost of repairs, including the replacement of the safety surface, removal of damaged equipment, and associated works, is approximately €5,000.

“Apart from the cost of repairs, such acts of vandalism cause emotional distress for children and the community, disrupt a community's access to a valuable public space, and foster a sense of fear and anxiety that may signal a rise in local crime,” said a council spokesman.

“This is the second time that Moneymore Playground has been vandalised this year. In April, the community facility also suffered fire damage, with an estimated repair cost of €1,200, funds that could have been used for playground improvements or other community projects.”

Louth County Council appealed to anyone with information about this incident to come forward and report it to An Garda Síochána.

"We also ask the community to remain vigilant and help protect shared public spaces from such senseless acts of vandalism.”

Mayor of Drogheda, Michelle Hall, said damage to the playground had an impact on the whole community.

"It is very disappointing as we only got the playground refurbished recently, and it has been vandalised again. I had advocated for swings to be put in, and this was done.”

She added that the location of the playpark, behind the housing estate “doesn’t allow for natural surveillance” from people living nearby.

She said the council are developing play and outdoor recreational sports policies which it is hoped will lead to more facilities for children and teenagers.

“We need to develop more of our green areas in social housing estates, we have vast green spaces which could be used for play facilities that would have more natural surveillance by residents.”

She explained: “I think we do have to address that we need more facilities to keep our teenagers active, I think the approach to this involves looking at a wide range of preventative measures as well as reacting to incidents.”

"We do need a lot more play facilities in Drogheda generally,” said the Mayor.

She added: “There is a fantastic community in Moneymore, and there are only a small minority involved in these incidents, I really want that message to go out. This is not a reflection at all on the community.”