Vandals target carpark lift again at Laois civic plaza in Portlaoise
A public lift at the carpark in the Civic Plaza in Portlaoise has been smashed again by vandals.
It means that the two storey carpark beside Laois County Council offices is effectively out of bounds for people in wheelchairs.
Cllr Thomasina Connell raised concerns by the Laois branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association, to Laois County Council at the October meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.
"This was brought to my attention by the Irish Wheelchair Association. I hear it is not going to be repaired before the Christmas market next month so unless wheelchair users have assistants, they can't go. The ramp is too steep," she said.
She suggests that a security camera be installed.
Cllr Connell also asked if the council will do "anything to combat vandalism".
Laois County Council however has promised that the lift will be fixed in time.
Director of Services is Simon Walton.
"The lift was repaired, we did significant work in the undercroft to bring it back to use. In recent weeks the lift was vandalised. The push button has been pulled out. We would never seek to exclude any group from the Christmas market. We'll put arrangements in place so the lift will be repaired in time," he said.
On actions to combat vandalism of the lift, he said there would be data privacy issues around using CCTV cameras.
"The lift is there for public use," he said.
The MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald suggested adding more wheelchair parking spaces to the plaza at ground level as a temporary measure.
However Mr Walton said that he did not think any disability parking spaces were inside the two storey facility.
"All the disability spaces at at plaza level. But the lift needs to be ready by the Christmas market," he said.
Cllr Connell had tabled a motion to the MD meeting asking for an update on the broken lift. The official reply given by the roads section was that it will be repaired shortly.
The Civic Plaza Carpark was built in 2007/2008 on land gifted to Laois County Council by Dunnes Stores. However the lower deck was closed soon after following vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
In 2020 the council launched a tender request to do extensive repairs, describing the damage done.
"The upper and basement level car park had been serviced by an elevator which has been vandalised and is out of order. Recessed lighting and wiring in the exterior walls have all been damaged and there is graffiti on the walls and doors. The entry and exit roller doors and pedestrian doors on the basement level have also been damaged and remain closed," they said.
It got new lights, upgraded CCTV, a panic button and swipe card entry-exit system, entry barries with fobs for drivers, new shutters and doors and a new fire alarm.