Council stalls on play site fence

MEMBERS of Ennis Town Council have stopped short of erecting a 12-foot fence around new €450,000 playing facilities in response to continuing anti-social behaviour.

Residents from The Green estate complained to councillors “there were several incidents where the gardaí were called as a result of teenagers urinating from the top of the slide and children being bullied”.

In the letter to councillors, secretary of residents association Kathleen Fitzpatrick reported: “As late as last weekend, the gardaí had to be called out at approximately 12.30am as teenagers were causing disruption from the top of the slide in the vicinity of the Mace Shop.

“In this area, there are elderly and residents of all ages who cannot sleep when these activities are re-occurring.”

Ms Fitzpatrick said the fencing should be provided at the playgrounds “for security reasons and ensuring that anti-social behaviour does not occur after hours”.

Cllr Johnny Flynn placed a motion to put in place a fence, floodlighting, CCTV and a management plan for the play facilities.

“We can’t let a small group in society dictate how we are going to use the facility,” he said.

Cllr Brian Meaney said that if there was going to be a fence around the playground, it would have to be 12ft and prove very costly.

Town manager Ger Dollard said a lot of the items in Cllr Flynn’s motion were in the process of being implemented.

However, Mr Dollard said that the jury is still out on the erection of the fence around the playgrounds.

Cllr Flynn said that he would defer his motion to see how the situation progresses.