Council commit to reparing damaged playground in Ballaghaderreen

A Ballaghaderreen councillor has said Roscommon County Council has committed to repairing damage that led to the closure of the town’s playground.

The municipal playground in Ballaghaderreen was closed for health and safety reasons in August after some of the equipment, including seats and swings, was damaged.

Cllr Micheál Frain said in a video on social media that Roscommon County Council have since assessed the extent of the damage, which is greater than initially thought. The cost of the repairs has not yet been disclosed.

“It will take a little time, but it will be worth the wait. The health and safety of our children must always come first,” he said.

Roscommon County Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of 13 public playgrounds across the county, including the facility in Ballaghaderreen.

Cllr Frain said he had spoken to local parents who have agreed to form a committee to help oversee the playground on a day-to-day basis.

“Basically, a roster, when to open and when to close, and to make sure that the vandalism that happened here before won’t happen again,” he explained.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Cllr Frain reiterated his call for more gardaí to be stationed in Ballaghaderreen, where the garda station has not been manned 24/7 for several years.

“At the same time we need to see gardaí on the beat around the school and playground,” he said.

Cllr Frain thanked all those who had come forward and offered their support.

“This is exactly the kind of community spirit we need. We will not allow a small cohort of vandals to destroy what belongs to our children and our community,” he added. “Our playground is an important amenity for local families, and together we will ensure it has a positive future.”