Local outrage over vandalism of amenity area

Residents are “outraged” over vandalism at a popular amenity area, according to a local county councillor.

Councillor Michael Kelly condemned the damage caused to picnic tables and seating at the Lough Bunny amenity area, situated on the Corofin to Gort Road at Boston.
One of the natural stone slab seats was smashed and another one is missing from the picnic area. It is believed an attempt was made to steal a second seat.

Members of the local development association, who provided three stone slab tables and seats at an estimated cost of between €5,000 and €7,000, are distraught over the damage.
“During the fine weather there was often between 30 and 50 cars using this amenity park and the nearby lake. Lough Bunny is a lovely lake and is a safe bathing place,” Councillor Kelly said.

“There are about 15 car parking spaces in the amenity area while motorists also park along the road.”
The facilities were installed with the help of Clare County Council and funding from Clare Leader after similar timber structures were previously damaged.

He acknowledged the county council and gardaí had done everything possible to try and prevent this type of vandalism from taking place.
He also noted that a group that had previously parked illegally in the area had left rubbish behind, including nappies, which was off-putting for visitors to the amenity. Councillor Kelly has asked that the

Government introduce legislation to give gardaí full powers to move mobile homes and caravans that are illegally parked in amenity areas.
“I believe legislation is the only way to give gardaí the necessary powers to move on people who are engaged in the unauthorised parking of mobile homes and caravans,” he said.
Asked who is going to foot the repair bill, he confirmed the development association does not have any significant amount of money at its disposal and noted the county council does not have the resources to restore every facility damaged throughout the county.