Young people riding e-scooters are tearing up the €800,000 playing pitches behind Westside library, and a local councillor wants the area fenced off.
Scooters have gouged deep trackmarks across the grass playing fields, and Councillor Josie Forde (FF ) has demanded the local authority secures the entirety of the Corrib Park pitches after repeated vandalism of the facility which underwent a massive resurfacing and drainage revamp two years ago.
“This is a fabulous community facility that cost the council – and the taxpayer – a significant amount of money,” Forde said. “The council has a responsibility to protect this amenity, and to finish the job properly,” she said. “Partial fencing has clearly not worked, and the ongoing vandalism shows that urgent action is needed.”
Last year, the resurfaced pitches were officially renamed Pat Manogue Park to honour the local soccer volunteer and president of Corrib Rangers Football Club.
Two years ago, Councillor Forde suggested the community facility should be fully fenced off, as only one side – facing Westside Community Centre – had a barrier. Local dog walkers complained fencing would restrict their access to the park.
“I have repeatedly called for the remaining areas to be fenced off, yet nothing has been done. The council must act now before further damage is done and before the facility becomes unusable for the very people it was built for,” said Forde, who wants a timeline confirmed for works.
“It is completely unacceptable that residents are expected to tolerate this behaviour on their doorsteps,” she said. “Many of these estates are home to older people, and these hooligans are flying through at speed. Fencing off the pitches would create a barrier to deter them.”
