'Senseless and heartbreaking': Fire at community toy box on Cork beach deliberate, locals believe

Toy box made by members of Carrigaline Men’s Shed encouraged children visiting Myrtleville beach to borrow a toy and to put their own unwanted toys in the box after their visit for another child to enjoy

The burnt-out community toy box at Myrtleville beach.

A community toy box at one of Cork's most recognisable beaches was set on fire in what locals believe was a "senseless and heartbreaking" deliberate act.

The toy box, which was made by members of Carrigaline Men’s Shed earlier this year, encouraged children visiting Myrtleville beach to borrow a toy and to put their own unwanted toys in the box after their visit for another child to enjoy, reducing plastic waste in the sea.

Fianna Fáil’s Audrey Buckley described the incident as “incredibly disappointing and completely senseless".

“The toy box was built and maintained by community volunteers to bring a little joy to local children, and to see it deliberately set on fire is heartbreaking,” she said.

“What makes it even more concerning is that this happened so soon after the recent Camden fire, where we all saw how quickly a small fire escalated and came dangerously close to homes. The same could easily have happened here if the vegetation behind the toy box had caught fire.” 

The wildfire at Camden Fort Meagher in Crosshaven earlier this month started in grassland and quickly grew out of control, with the blaze coming within feet of up to 30 properties in the area.

Ms Buckley added she had also heard reports of cars being driven recklessly around the area during the early hours of the morning, “and it appears the toy box was deliberately targeted”, encouraging anyone who witnessed anything suspicious to get in touch with gardaí who are investigating.

“The Myrtleville Community Group won't let this deter them,” she said.

“They have always shown incredible community spirit, and I'm confident they'll rebuild and continue creating something special for local children.” 

Fine Gael councillor for the area, Jack White, said: “This could have been a very serious incident. On such a dry cliff face, with houses in close proximity, there was real potential for this fire to spread much further.

“Thankfully, it was contained before that happened, but it serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fires can take hold in these conditions. It’s deeply disappointing that a valued community amenity appears to have been deliberately targeted.” 

He also encouraged anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious or who has any information to contact gardaí, and said he has been in touch with Cork County Council regarding the clean-up of the area and the replacement of the toy box.