New playground is damaged by vandals

New playground is damaged by vandals

18 January 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

VANDALS have targeted a new £120,000 playground in Downpatrick.

Last week’s attack came as contractors were putting the finishing touches to the new facility at Knocknashinna before handing it over to Down Council.

Play equipment was dislodged from its mountings, ropes on new climbing frames were cut and a fire was started in a skip being used by contractors working at the site.

The incident has been condemned by council chairman Dermot Curran who described the attack as “mindless.” He said he simply can’t understand why there are those who engage in such “despicable behaviour.”

The new play area in Downpatrick is part of a £450,000 investment by the local authority in five new facilities across the district. The council chairman said he is “disgusted” the Knocknashinna playground was targeted before it was handed over to the local authority.

Councillor Curran said someone must know who is responsible for the vandal attack as the play area is adjacent to a number of houses.

“The Knocknashinna playground is the most modern of its kind in the district, provided for young people in the area to enjoy. I cannot believe people have vandalised it. Why on earth would they do such a thing?” he asked.

“The council is investing a significant amount of money to provide new play facilities but there are those in the community attempting to undo its good work.”

Councillor Curran said council officials are also “hugely disappointed” that the new equipment has been vandalised before the playground was handed over to the local authority.

He continued: “It’s bitterly disappointing there has been anti-social behaviour in this new play park which is being created for the children in the area. It is a facility for everyone to enjoy and one designed to benefit the community greatly. I strongly condemn this mindless act of vandalism.”

The council chairman said he would also be prepared to meet in private with those who carried out last Thursday evening’s attack and appealed to them to get in touch.

Councillor Curran added: “Our meeting would be set up on a confidential basis to discuss the reasons why such destructive behaviour continues to afflict our communities.”

A Down Council spokeswoman confirmed that as a result of last week’s vandal attack the proposed hand over date of the new playground in the first week of February has been delayed and that the necessary repairs will add to the cost.