Councillor’s daughter ‘struck’ at in Tim Smythe Park

An ennis councillor has told how his daughter was “struck” at while using the new playground at Tim Smythe Park in the town.

Another member of Ennis Town Council urged that teenagers caught carrying out anti-social behaviour at the playground be shamed by being entered into a “bonny baby” competition.
Councillor Johnny Flynn this week continued his call for the park to be fenced in, comparing those carrying out anti-social behaviour in the area to “terrorists” who are “destroying community facilities”.
At this week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, Councillor Flynn urged the council to consider putting in place physical controls and a management plan in a bid to counter anti-social behaviour in the area.
He praised the facilities at the playground, describing them as “world standard”. however he added that anti-social behaviour has been putting pressure on users of the playground and those who live nearby.
Councillor Flynn argued that in order to enforce bylaws preventing unlawful entry, the park must be enclosed. He outlined that his daughter was struck while using the playground, although she was not seriously hurt.
“There is a sector of society that seems to think they are controlling the playground. we can’t let small groups dictate how people use the playground,” he said.
Fellow councillor Mary Howard suggested a novel bonny baby competition. “It could be for up to 16 or 17-year-olds. we need to think outside the box to tackle anti-social behaviour. With these kids it’s a peer group thing,” she said.
Councillor Paul O’Shea commented that recent events at the playground are “a sad reflection on society”.
He called on the council to urge the government to legislate that anybody caught engaging in anti-social behaviour would have to carry out community service.
Councillor Tommy Brennan outlined that lights and CCTV cameras are due to be installed soon at the playground. He also raised the issue of illegal parking and urged the double yellow lines be installed.
Town manager Ger Dollard told councillors talks are ongoing with gardaí in relation to the playground. He stated the double yellow lines could be considered in conjunction with residents and the gardaí.
He expressed concerns about fencing in the playground saying, “The jury is still out; if we do fence the playground, do we continue and fence the adult area and older people area, and then do we ringfence the entire Tim Smythe Park?”
He outlined there would be cost issues, along with concerns about possible liability if somebody was hurt on the fence.
Councillor Brian Meaney commented that at certain points any possible fence would have to be 12ft tall and he urged that this would be a “course of last action”. “It could prove very costly in a number of respects, if people found themselves falling from 12ft,” he said.
He suggested that the playground be allowed time to grow in a more orderly way. Councillor Michael Guilfoyle spoke of how he witnessed a dozen 12 to 14-year-olds in the playground at night. He suggested signs be erected to inform people of the age group for the playground equipment.
“I was prepared to wait and see but the more times I’ve been there, the more negativity I get out of it. This playground was never more needed in town than it is today, with the price of petrol and people unable to bring their kids away. If someone climbs on the fence the council could be liable if they were hurt but if someone is assaulted on the grounds I would hate to see what would come out of that,” Councillor Guilfoyle said.
Councillor Meaney suggested that an assessment of the cost of a fence, as well as a risk assessment, be put in place.
Councillor Peter Considine stated he is “absolutely against” fencing in the facility and stated that if the culprits of anti-social behaviour are identifiable the matter should be brought before the Joint Policing Committee.
Councillor Mary Howard added that she believed the “novelty factor” of the playground would have worn off by now. She recalled how at the last meeting she had asked what the parents of these children were doing about the matter.
“Last week I was at the new teenage area and I saw a young couple with their children force their way in. This is what the parents are doing,” she said.
Councillor Frankie Neylon told how he has witnessed teenagers “abuse everyone in the park”. He told how overseas children are not allowed in play areas unaccompanied and he recommended educating young people, adding “the solution is with the parents”.
“We have to give this a bit of time before we make an evaluation. It needs to be done right in the first place, otherwise we can fence it now and then what’s next, electrifying it,” he said.
Councillor Mary Coote Ryan urged that double yellow lines be extended in the area.
It was agreed to defer the matter for consideration at a later meeting of the council to see the effects of CCTV and lighting on the situation. The matter will also be brought before the Joint Policing Committee. Town clerk Eddie Power also informed the members that the court service have obliged to allow users of the playground to park at the courthouse during the day.