Vandals crash car through goalposts of rugby pitch
By Hayden Moore
VANDALISM of a local rugby pitch has escalated even further this week with a car crashing through their goalposts before being set on fire, rendering the pitch unusable.
Desperate for the continued vandalism to stop and seeking a long-term solution, Tallaght Rugby Football Club have launched its Forever Home campaign, to help raise funds to enable them to create a secure facility.
The car burnt out at the goalposts of Tallaght Rugby Club pitch in Tymon Park
After spending the week tidying its pitch in Tymon Park in preparation for adult players returning to training, Tallaght RFC’s return has been left decimated.
“A group of joyriders gained access to Tymon Park and took it upon themselves to make their way over to our pitches,” Tallaght RFC Public Relations Officer, Emma-Louise Doyle told The Echo.
“By the grass, it appears they were doing donuts around the pitch and then decided to bring their fun to an end by smashing into our posts.
“They have been left completely unrepairable and we’ll need to get new posts.
“Then they added to that and set the car on fire, which scorched the ground and the car exploded, leaving bits of broken glass and metal all over the place.”
The club has grappled with anti-social behaviour around its pitches in February, when scramblers gained access and tore up the playing surface.
Recently, ahead of collective adult training on May 10, volunteers in the club descended upon the park to complete a litter pick and they left the resulting bags of rubbish at a location for council collection.
But, the bags were set alight by vandals.
The pitch that was destroyed was designated by the club for its two senior men’s teams and senior women’s team, which cater for 85 players altogether.
Repair works are out of the hands of the club, with it leasing the pitches in Tymon Park from South Dublin County Council.
“We have just been hit by one vandalism incident after another,” Ms Doyle said.
“But this is by far the most excessive damage we’ve suffered up to this point.”
The callous acts of vandalism have been met by community support, with other local clubs offering use of facilities in the meantime.
The club expect major resurfacing will be needed along with new goalposts before they can return safely and they are awaiting confirmation from the council in relation to when works will be carried out.
In the meantime, through the Tallaght RFC Forever Home campaign, they are asking the public to help raise funds for a deposit to purchase grounds to create a secure and safe playing pitch.
Catering for children age five and upwards, the club believes the current model is not sustainable and have targeted €30,000 through a fundraiser on GoFundMe.
To donate, visit: Forever Home Campaign
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