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Suspected arson attack on Dublin playground 'appalling'

An investigation is under way into the fire at the playground in Kilmore (Pic: Amanda Lynch)
An investigation is under way into the fire at the playground in Kilmore (Pic: Amanda Lynch)

The chairperson of the North Central Area Committee of Dublin City Council has described the suspected arson attack of a playground as "appalling".

An investigation is under way by gardaí into the fire at the playground, which is located in Kilmore on Oscar Traynor Road. Equipment at the playground was damaged in the incident.

Gardaí were first alerted to the incident on the night of 16 November.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Fianna Fáil councillor Daryl Barron said that substantial damage has been done to the playground.

As a result, he said that the playground is completely unusable.

"It's obviously appalling what has happened, the arson attack on Sunday evening," Mr Barron said.

"I suspect there's damage in the tens of thousands, probably worth in and around €100,000 has been damaged to the playground itself," he said.

He said that this is not the first arson attack with fire damage in the north central area.

Last month, new toilets which were installed in St Anne's Park in Raheny were vandalised.

A view of the damage to a toilet hut in St Anne's Park after a fire
New toilets installed in St Anne's Park in Raheny were vandalised last month (Pic: Dublin Fire Brigade)

The eco-toilets were installed following a long-running campaign, however they were unable to be used after they were vandalised.

"Hopefully we're going to get these repaired in the coming weeks," Mr Barron said.

"And they haven't even opened yet, and other playgrounds and other sports facilities have been targeted by young individuals, and I would appeal to people locally, that to make appeals An Garda Síochána in relation to these serious events."

The Lord Mayor of Dublin has said that the attacks on community facilities are "deeply worrying".

Cllr Ray McAdam said that such vandalism is a "deliberate destruction of safe, public spaces that belong to children and families, and of pitches that belong to local clubs and communities".

Gardaí have appealed to any witnesses or who has any information in relation to the fire at the playground in Kilmore to contact Santry Garda Station on 01 6664000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.