'Disgraceful': Outdoor swimming pool in Offaly vandalised just weeks after opening
Banagher Shannon Bank Park appealed to visitors to be respectful of the area and its property following the incidents
The area around the new swimming pool in Banagher has been vandalised just a number of weeks after opening.
The redevelopment of the outdoor pool was officially unveiled on April 23 after being delivered by the Shannon Bank Park Trustees Community Group in partnership with Fáilte Ireland.
The project received €616,700 in funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs.
The local community in Banagher raised €156,000, in match funding, reflecting strong local commitment to the redevelopment.
Now just over a month since opening, the community area has been subject to littering, vandalism as well as the damage of property recently.
This included mud and clay from the river bank being thrown on the tables, chairs and pods beside the swimming pool, life buoys tampered with along with littering on the grass nearby.
Banagher Shannon Bank Park took to Facebook on Tuesday, May 26 to appeal to visitors to be respectful of the area and the property within it.
They wrote: “Please respect our pool, we love seeing the pool so well-used during this beautiful weather. However, yesterday evening, volunteers found litter across the park, vandalised pods, and worst of all, life buoys interfered with.”
“This is a free community facility that we all worked so hard to create together. All we ask is that you enjoy it and leave no trace.”
The group also outlined for visitors to take any rubbish home, not to vandalise equipment or signage, leave life-saving equipment alone and to respect the space for everyone .
They concluded: “Our pool and park is a family friendly amenity that is open to everyone - let’s all do our part to take care of it. It’s disheartening to see our community facility treated this way after all the effort that went into creating it.”
The post prompted an angry reaction in the comments with some people stating that cameras may be needed whilst others are adamant that those responsible must face consequences for their actions.
One user wrote: “Recently went down to visit this beautiful amenity area for all and not as much as a piece of paper or cigarette butt to be seen. It is with much anger I now see these pictures of vandalism. Hopefully the culprits can be found and prosecuted soon.”
Another said: “Disgraceful carry on. No need for it at all and no respect. All the hard work that went into it, very disheartening to see. CCTV camera's connected to garda station needed to prevent this.”
A third person commented: “It’s absolutely ridiculous if this stays happening. I'd close it off and charge people to use it, it also definitely needs cameras around it.”