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Irish Independent
30-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Repeated vandalism in Wexford playground poses danger to children – ‘It is just dreadful'
Ferns Tidy Towns, who look after the area, took to social media to express their frustration over the most recently incident that took place after 9 p.m. on Friday, July 25. "Over the last couple of months the Medieval themed playground in the community park has been repaired time and time again to enable the children of the community to enjoy playing in the outdoors. It's very disappointing to visit it and discover the vandalism done to the slide leading from the turret,' a representative explained. "Those responsible should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. Not alone have you damaged community property, you've left a children's play area in a dangerous condition,' they added. Although a garda representative said they were aware of the incident but had no reports on file, there is speculation that the incident was carried out by a group of young people who were witnessed causing the damage by kicking and stamping the slide. Given the severity of the damage to the slide, families have been instructed to keep their children away from the area to avoid potential injuries. Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy municipal district Barbara-Anne Murphy said it was incredibly disheartening to see. "It is just dreadful that children can't make use of a playground that has been specifically made for them. I only realised it was repeated incidents which is terrible. The whole community work so hard together to keep the area working and tidy. That playground is cherished by so many children and to take that away is awful,' she said. She further recognised the avoidable cost that was repeatedly being laid at the feet of the Tidy Towns group, a volunteer organisation that gives up their own time to look after the community space. "When cleaning up something that was deliberately damaged, of course that money would have already been earmarked for something else.' She added that it was all the more discouraging that it appeared to be older children and youths deliberately taking facilities away from younger children. ADVERTISEMENT "The trouble is is that this is being done by older children and youths. I have said before that youths need more places to hang out and socialise in Enniscorthy area but that does not mean they can destroy other areas,' she said. Although many social media users are pushing for cameras to be installed to deter future incidents, Cllr Murphy is not entirely convinced that it is the core solution. "It takes so long to get CCTV and to get the various people to sign off on it and it's not right. I know privacy laws have a role to play but I think everyone is used to being filmed all the time now. However, I'm not sure cameras are the solution here maybe its youth diversion. Maybe the FDYS or WLD could be brought in for a solution. The FDYS do wonderful work with youngsters,' she added.
Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wexford pop-up ‘Play Day' brings the community together
The pop up event was organised by the Enniscorthy Municipal District, Creative Places Enniscorthy and FDYS and was held to mark National Play Day 2025, The aim of National Play Day is to promote play and recreation opportunities for children and young people across the country. The theme this year is 'The Power of Play', This year's theme highlights the many benefits of play for children's development, including physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth. It should raise awareness of the vital role that play does play in a child's life. Each year the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provides funds for Local Authorities to engage in National Play Day. Following the pop-up event, part of the funding from the Department will be used to purchase durable play equipment for community settings. Children heartily engaged with a number of games including tug of war, sack races and had fun with colourful fabric. The peace park was an optimal location to host the festivities as large instruments were installed last year to improve physical activity through playful activities, adding colour and more interest into the park. There is a bench shaped xylophone, flowers that make noise with movement and plenty of bells to keep children entertained. A number of councillors were in attendance including Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cllr Patricia Byrne, and Cllr John O'Rourke who joined in on the games. Before the pop-up event began, funding was also provided for a morning training workshop for people volunteering or working with children and young people that was hosted by play strategist Martin O'Donoghue from Cork.
