Antisocial youths ‘should face community service’

Young people who vandalise parks or engage in antisocial behaviour should be forced to perform community service and their parents should be fined, a Cork county councillor has said.

Cllr Deirdre Forde (FG) was speaking after a weekend during which Douglas Community Park was left in a dangerous condition by late-night revellers.

On Saturday night, spirits bottles lay smashed in the playground. Shards of glass were left under equipment used by children.

By 3pm on Sunday, the glass and dozens of beer cans were still strewn around the playground. A bin had also been set on fire. Locals said while parents did their best to brush away the most dangerous pieces of glass, a number still remained.

A sign at the front of the playground states that glass and alcohol are not to be brought into the area and it is only for the use of children under the age of 13.

Ms Forde said Douglas Community Park is a magnet for antisocial behaviour by young people on weekends.

She said: “Youngsters should be made to do community service. That legislation is not utilised enough.”

By making the culprits wear distinctive overalls while carrying out the work, Ms Forde said it would send a message to others about the consequences of their actions. She said parents should also be fined for the actions of their children.

Last October, Cork county manager Martin Riordan promised to work with gardaí and the local community association — which contributed €300,000 to its upgrade — to address a rise in assaults, vandalism, arson, and underage drinking at Douglas Community Park.

Cork County Council had not responded to questions on the situation at the time of going to press.