Call for patrols of playgrounds over antisocial behaviour

A call has been made for wardens to patrol county council playgrounds due to antisocial behaviour.

Cllr Patrick McGowan has called on Donegal County Council to employ two wardens to supervise playgrounds in the county over the spring and summer months.

Making the call at the May meeting of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District, the Fianna Fáil councillor said antisocial behaviour is going on at playgrounds in the county and is “quite intimidating” for children and parents. 

He said some of the behaviour going on at playgrounds is “actually unsafe”.  One warden could patrol playgrounds in the Inishowen and Letterkenny and Milford municipal districts while the other could look after facilities in the Lifford-Stranorlar, Glenties and Donegal municipal districts, he said. 

The Killygordon councillor said the wardens could also carry out maintenance work. 

Meanwhile, the council’s playground in Castlefinn has been labelled as “not fit for purpose” by a local councillor.

Describing the facilities as “pitiful at best,” Cllr Gary Doherty called on the council to bring forward proposals to upgrade the playground. He told the meeting that there is nowhere to bring children in the area.

The Sinn Féin councillor said the facilities are suitable for children up to three or four years of age “but after that, it is completely useless”.