Cork skateboarders: Anti-social behaviour ruining our site

Skateboarders in Cork claim they are being subjected to anti-social behaviour, such as drinking and drug taking, at the only open skate park in the city.

Noel Darcy, a skateboarder who uses the skate park in the Mardyke area, has launched a petition seeking a new outdoor skate facility in the city, and has suggested the Tramore Valley Park would be an ideal location once the development is completed.

The recent closure of a skate park at Tory Top Road on the south side of Cork due to vandalism has left the Mardyke as the only dedicated facility, which Mr Darcy said is inadequate.

He told Cork’s 96FM the facility is too small for the number of skaters attracted to it, and it has become the scene of anti-social behaviour.

Noel says the skate park down the Mardyke is not a safe environment for kids, people are drinking and taking drugs there #ol96

— 96fm Opinion Line (@OpinionLine96) January 28, 2015

“What we have down below is not a safe place for kids. I have a kid, I wouldn’t let him go down there when he’s older,” he said.

Mr Darcy told the Opinion Line programme he has witnessed drinking, drug-taking and other intimidating behaviour in the area.

He says skaters have been attacked at the Mardyke by people hanging around there taking drugs #ol96

— 96fm Opinion Line (@OpinionLine96) January 28, 2015

“Because they’re so close to the skate park, we’re associated with that and we’re not about anything like that.

“We’re being tarred with the same brush. The skate park for us is a social place, we meet up with our friends and we want to learn new tricks. It’s our hangout, we go there to get away from our own everyday lives. It’s our hobby no less than someone someone who goes to play GAA would go to their local club, meet up with their friends and have a chat or kick around a ball or play hurling,” he said.

Mr Darcy said a skate park was in the original proposals for Tramore Valley Park, but was removed because the council felt skaters were “well catered for”.

Kindness bites back, the dog who got barred, skateboards & SEX! Todays podcast is now online.. #ol96http://t.co/wFUEi52LA3

— 96fm Opinion Line (@OpinionLine96) January 28, 2015