Killala Town Park decimated by mid-term vandals

Killala Town Park demolished by mid-term vandals


Trevor Quinn

KILLALA councillor Jarlath Munnelly has heavily criticised those responsible for the extensive vandalism and criminal damage inflicted by youngsters during their school mid-term break at Killala Town Park last week.
Describing the criminal damage which is now being investigated by Gardaí Cllr Munnelly said: “Nobody ever imagined this could happen when we set about transforming waste ground into a park a few years ago. The park was supposed to be something that people in the locality could be proud of and benefit from.”
Trees and plants were uprooted and broken in the €500,000 development, while glass and lights were smashed causing considerable damage to the park. Local residents, many of whom are elderly, were also disturbed and anxious after the noise and disturbances which occurred over a number of nights.
“The Gardai have spoken to several people in relation to it and they are taking it very seriously. They are very sympathetic to the local residents who have had to put up with this type of thing on numerous nights over the past year,” added Cllr Munnelly.
Last week the issue was raised at the Ballina local area meeting of Mayo County Council. A number of public representatives attended and aired their shock and frustration with the recurring problems and recent damage to the park.
Cllr Munnelly proposed that entry to the park could be temporarily restricted during the night, stating that the installation of two gates would stop juveniles from congregating in the park during the night and acting in an anti-social manner. “If there was a gate put on the park and it was opened every morning that would be one option. That way it wouldn’t become a gathering place during the night for youngsters,” he said.
While accepting that restricting access to the community park was not an ideal solution, Cllr Munnelly said that it is likely that “the positives would far outweigh the negatives”.