Two Laois playgrounds vandalised with Garda investigations launched
Just when they are most needed with summer starting, vandals have damaged two Laois town's playgrounds.
Gardaí have launched two separate investigations into vandalism that took place in Stradbally and in Ballylinan.
The Ballylinan playground in Wynne Park, was damaged over the weekend of Saturday, May 20 to Monday, May 22.
In Stradbally, the vandalism took place over night between Saturday, May 27 and Sunday morning, May 28.
A local volunteer told the Leinster Express / Laois Live what was damaged.
"There was a lovely wooden gate with several locks and bolts that was kicked out. It took a good strength to do it. It's purely vandalism, we are gutted.
"They also broke a tap that we use for maintaining the playground. It will need a new gate now, the old one is warped. We will have to get a steel gate.
The Stradbally Playground Committee have issued a notice with the above photos on social media, asking for people to come forward with information.
"A number of acts of vandalism were carried out at the Stradbally Park between 1am-3am last Saturday night, early Sunday morning. The Stradbally Playground Committee are aware of a number of youths in the area but realise that only a small minority created the damage, breaking down the gate & breaking taps," they said.
A spokesperson for Laois Gardaí confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live that both of the incidents are now under investigation.
They are not believed to be linked.
"We are appealing for anyone with information to contact Stradbally and Ballylinan stations," the Garda spokesperson said.