Residents on the south side of Fermoy have condemned an unwarranted incident of vandalism on the playground at Cork Road Playground as a ‘sinister attack on the community'.

The incident, which occurred between 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday night, saw adhesive smeared over the seats of swings, on the slides and on the gate within the park.

The playground is currently closed until Cork County Council workers remove the sticky, putty adhesive and make the area suitable for children again. It is hoped that the popular playground will be re-opened during the weekend.

Condemning the vandalism, Tadhg O’Donovan, PRO of the Cork Road Residents’ Association, said he and his colleagues condemn this 'in the strongest possible terms'.

“We see this as a sinister attack on the entire community because ultimately, it’s each and every one of us in the community and our families who are using this facility.

“There are people within the vicinity of the area who have CCTV and they have told us of their willingness to co-operate and provide assistance to us if they are so able.”

Mr O’Donovan appeals for anyone with information to contact the residents’ association, the Gardaí or Cork County Council.

“Basically what we’re looking for here is self-help from the community so we don’t have a repetition, because as I said, it’s a sinister attack on each and every individual in the community.

“These attempts, motivated to undermine the work in creating what has been acknowledged as a first-rate facility, cannot be tolerated,” he added.

Chairperson of the Cork Road Residents’ Association William Hughes, added: “Any person that is inclined to do that again might be better served with a 300-hour community service order.”

Fermoy Garda Station was informed of the incident on Wednesday morning.

On hearing of the incident, Fermoy-based county councillor Noel McCarthy, expressed his disapproval of such activities, and called for those responsible to be 'named and shamed'.

“The only way we can stamp out such behaviour is if those responsible are named and shamed. It’s a fantastic community up there and it’s terrible to hear of such vandalism,” he said.

blog comments powered by Disqus