COUNCIL staff have had to repair £950 worth of damage caused to the playpark in Coleshill as a result of vandalism caused by youths last weekend.
The soft rubber flooring which ensures children’s safety if they fall in the playpark was deliberately ripped up by youths last Sunday night.
One resident in the area, who did not wish to give his name for fear of the repercussions, said the playpark has been a constant target for vandalism over the years.
He added too, that residents were continually experiencing “intimidating” behaviour at the hands of youths in the area.
“This vandalism has been going on for years,” he said. 
“I couldn’t believe it on Sunday night when I saw these youths sitting around in a circle at the playpark ripping up the soft padding.
“They were sat there with their smartphones and must have been bored out of their minds because they decided to rip it all up.
“This was probably around 8.45pm. I just couldn’t believe it was happening.
“Parents need to know what their children are up to when they let them out at night.
“It is not just me who feels annoyed about this,” said the resident. 
He continued: “There are pensioners living in this area who continuously witness vandalism outside their homes. And then we are the ones who have to mop it all up afterwards.
“It is very intimidating too.”
Council staff were out onsite on Monday morning this week to repair the damage.
A spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council told the Impartial Reporter: “Over the period of Sunday night and Monday morning the Coleshill Play Park was subjected to vandalism where approximately 9m2 of the safety surface was damaged. 
“Council staff took immediate steps to repair the damage at a cost of £950. The Council unreservedly condemns this act of vandalism and will actively seek to take action against the perpetrators of this kind of anti social behaviour,” concluded the spokesperson.