Dublin People - Stardust Park vandals condemned

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Stardust Park vandals condemned

Thursday, 24 April 2008

COOLOCK residents have condemned vandals who chopped down a number of trees at their local park in a wanton act of destruction.
Three mature trees planted around the memorial to the 48 young people who died in the tragic Stardust fire in 1981 were discovered hacked down last Friday week (April 11).
Local resident, Jimmy Dunne, whose son Liam, died in the fire, was walking his dog in the park when he came across the damaged trees.
“I was very disappointed that anyone would do this near the memorial,” Mr Dunne told Northside People.
“This area is meant to be sacrosanct.
“I don’t mind young people drinking in the park, but not near the memorial.

“Things like this are destructive and hard to condone or excuse.
“I don’t understand it. This is certainly a new low for the area.”
Mr Dunne said that when he arrived on the scene, there were a number of empty bottles and cans, as well as the remains of pre-packaged individual shots of spirits.
“I have never seen these in the park before,” he said.
“I walk my dog here three times a day and there are always young fellas drinking.
“At that age they want a can and they can’t afford the pub; this is the first bad experience I’ve had though.”
As so many local people were affected by the Stardust fire, Mr Dunne believes it may not have been local youths who caused the damage.
“Everyone knows not to go near the memorial,” Mr Dunne added.
“This place should be highly respected. The vandalism was mindless and that is the limit for me.”
The park, which was opened in 1993 to commemorate those who died in the fire, has suffered ongoing problems with anti-social behaviour in recent years.
Only last month, Northside People reported on the theft of wheelie bins being stolen from gardens and set alight in the park.
Artane ward councillor Larry O’Toole (SF) condemned the vandals for their insensitivity to the entire community.
“This latest act of wanton vandalism is an outright insult to the victims, survivors and families of the Stardust disaster,” stated Cllr O’Toole.
“These trees were planted around the memorial to commemorate the 48 young people from this area who perished in the fire.”
“How could anyone be so insensitive as to desecrate this place so sacred to the victims’ families and indeed the entire community?”
The Dublin City Council Parks Superintendent for the North Central Area said the damage was “unprecedented” but added that the trees would be replaced later this year at the appropriate planting time.

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