Youths prevent fire brigade from putting out fire on troll
By Brendan Grehan
A GANG of youths prevented Dublin Fire Brigade from putting out a fire on the troll sculpture in Griffeen Park last week, The Echo has learned.
The wooden troll sculpture is part of the playground in Griffeen Valley Park.
The Sculpture was previously set on fire last June.
A Spokesman for Dublin Fire Brigade told The Echo: “At 7.50pm on Monday, October 8, a Dublin Fire Brigade crew was dispatched to Griffeen Valley Park where we had received a report that a fire had been set against a wooden troll sculpture.
“Arriving at the scene we took no action because there were a group of youths standing around the fire who were less than co-operative.
“The Fire Brigade left the scene and returned at 10.45pm with Gardai and the fire was extinguished .”
A Garda Spokeswoman told The Echo: “Gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage that occurred overnight between October 8 and October 9 last at Griffeen Park Lucan. A statue burnt overnight causing damage. Investigations are ongoing.
Councillor Vicky Casserly said: “It is disappointing that this is happening that equipment like this will be damaged.
“While the Council and the garda have a duty to make sure that the park is safe I would call on parents to know where their children are and what they are up to.”
Councillor Danny O’Brien said: “It is sad to hear about this but the anti-social behaviour in the park is not as bad as people think.
“The playground in Griffeen is used far more that other playgrounds.
“The amount of anti-social behaviour is very low compared to other parks. People say CCTV should be installed but CCTV is very expensive to monitor for a year and secondly those concerned can just put their hood up and they can’t be seen. The whole issue really goes back to do parents knowing what their chlldren are doing at night. I know where my children are. I have put the issue on the agenda for the Lucan area committee meeting at the end of the month.”
The Echo contacted South Dublin County Council for a comment but they did not respond before we went to press.
