Call to end drinking on children’s playgrounds

A CALL for action to curb late-night drinking parties and vandalism on children’s playgrounds in Kerry was made yesterday.

Playgrounds in areas such as Dingle and Ballyheigue have had to be locked at night so as to secure the facilities. Barriers have had to be erected at some playgrounds.

Ballybunion-based Sinn Féin councillor Robert Beasley said gardaí should be asked to patrol areas where playgrounds were located.

Director of services John Breen said Kerry County Council was receiving excellent cooperation from the gardaí.

While playgrounds had to be secured, Mr Breen said they would prefer not to lock such facilities, if at all possible.

Ballyheigue FF councillor John Brassil said people were “drifting” into the local playground at night. While he understood the need to lock up playgrounds, he believed the council should have a flexible approach to the issue.

Many of the playgrounds are located in town parks, which have become venues for open-air drinking parties.

Listowel Town Council, however, has received a disappointing response from the public to its proposals to crack down on drinking in public.

Local councillors said they were appalled by the public’s lack of input to a draft proposal to ban the consumption of intoxicating substances in public places.

The draft was put out for public consultation, but not one written submission had been received from the public, according to FF councillor Ned O’Sullivan.

Some councillors were reluctant to pass the bylaws and suggested a meeting with local garda officers.

However, FG councillor Tim O’Leary said they should not hide behind the gardaí and it was the council’s duty to sign off on the bylaws.

Council manager John Breen referred to a presentation by a local group in relation to behaviour in Listowel Town Park.

He said they did not have the staff, or resources, to deal with poor behaviour in the town park, but he believed the bylaws would strengthen the hand of the gardaí.

The matter is again due to be raised at the council’s June meeting.