Local Children’s Playground Set

By Gugulethu Radebe

Dublin 8s Weaver Park, located at the heart of the liberties, was set aflame. The incident occurred on the 10th Of October in the late evening hours.

The fire caused significant damage to the wooden panels of the park’s jungle gym. The fire caused the previously brown wooden climbing frames and the play area to turn a pitch-black colour from being scorched by the flames.

The Gardaí arrived at the scene at around 18:30 on Monday. Thankfully no one was harmed, and no children were playing during the time of the incident. So far, no arrests have been made for the incident. This incident is not the first time the Dublin 8 park has experienced since its launch in September 2017.

A similar incident occurred in late 2021 after it sustained fire damage during the Halloween weekend and was repaired shortly after the fire. Once again, no arrests were made.

The once-beloved park has suffered a reoccurrence of traumatic events and has caused an uproar within the community. Many community members have taken to social media platforms to express their frustration with the lack of consequences for the rebels who continue to destroy local community property.

“My family and I often go to Weaver Park, so it is very disappointing to know about the recent vandalism in Weaver Park, my children are immensely affected by what happened in the park and this vandalism is not the first time its happened.”

Sinn Fein councillor Maire Devine and the Dublin city council also released a public statement expressing their sadness over the fire incident about the children’s park being absolutely destroyed and blackened due to the carelessness of others.

Local Dublin 8 community member and mother of 2, Joanne Gilmoran had this to say when she was interviewed about the recent tragedy in Weaver Park.

Sinn Fein councillor Maire Devine has recently stated that she and the Dublin city council have plans to rebuild the park once more. One would hope that this would be the last time the park has to be rebuilt due to the recklessness of others, and this begs the question of when enough will be enough and when the more significant issue of vandalism, reckless behaviour and justice will be served.