Community angered by senseless act of play area vandalism

PEOPLE throughout Ferns village and the surrounding areas have expressed anger and despair after vandals wreaked havoc at the local playground, causing extensive damage to the facility.

The damage occurred the weekend before last as all responsible people were observing the social-distancing and self-isolation measures outlined by the Government and the health authority in an effort to stem the threat of the coronavirus, Covid-19.

A spokesperson for Ferns Tidy Towns committee said: ‘It seems all the advice about social distancing hasn’t sunk in yet with some of the local vandals.’

‘ They seemed to think it was alright to vandalize the new playground over the weekend and use one of the towers to party in,’ she added.

The latter comment was a reference to the fact that in addition to causing damage to the playground the vandals also drank alcohol at the site and left their discarded tins and rubbish strewn about the amenity.

‘It’s a very sad day when the community works hard to provide facilities for families to enjoy and these not so little hooligans think it’s OK to destroy it,’ said the committee spokesperson.

The playground committee and the Tidy Towns committee are appealing to anyone who saw people acting in a suspicious manner around the playground to contact the gardai.

The vandals used stones, bricks and a hurley to destroy the playground which is closed to the public.

However, that step was taken anyway to reduce the spread of Civid-19.

‘Repairs have been made and we would ask members of the community to keep an eye on the playground and there should be no activity there until the current crisis is over,’ said the spokesperson.

Cllr Aidan Browne also expressed criticism over the vandalism and described it as insulting.

‘It shows blatant disregard for the local community,’ he said.

‘ The vandals clearly have little respect for community facilities of the people in the community,’ he added.

Cllr Browne appealed for anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious at the time the damage occurred to contact the gardai.

‘We need to stamp out this type of activity,’ he said.

Enniscorthy Gardai can be contacted in confidence on 053 9242580.

Debris from a climbing tower hanging down after the playground in Ferns was vandalised. PHOTOS BY FERNS TIDY TOWNS

Wire was pulled off the front of the bug hotel.

Some of the scattered debris (above) and stones used to smash the equipment (below).