30-07-2025
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.
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"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.
