COUNCILLORS in Enniskillen have hit out at “explicit and disgusting” graffiti that occurred over the weekend at the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum play park.

The play park had to close temporarily on Sunday following overnight graffiti and vandalism to facilitate Fermanagh and Omagh District Council cleaning up the grafftti and repair works.

Following the clean-up efforts of Council staff, the play park was able to reopen on Tuesday, September 22. Reacting to the weekend’s vandalism, Enniskillen Councillor Keith Elliott said: “I’ve been made aware of significant graffiti and vandalism that took place in the Forum play park.

“I will be speaking to the PSNI about this issue as well as the ongoing anti-social behaviour in this area at night.

“I am aware that the police are investigating this incident. This is a park used by everyone in the district, and this disgusting behaviour will not be tolerated,” he said.

Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh addressed the issue and the impact of ongoing anti-social behaviour in the play park and said: “In recent weeks, a number of parents contacted me in relation to concerns for the safety of their children using the play park. ‘Concerns’ “There were concerns arising from a group who were congregating [there]; drinking, smoking and swearing at the site. “They told me that this was a particular problem on a Friday night, and was impacting the ability of children with autism participating in Positive Futures to access the play facilities.”

Speaking prior to removing the graffiti, a statement from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said: “The vandalism has been reported to the PSNI. “Anyone with information in relation to the vandalism at the play park should contact the PSNI directly.” The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: “Police are appealing for information and witnesses following a report of criminal damage to a play park in the Broadmeadow area of Enniskillen on Saturday evening, September 20. “Police received a report of youths gathering in the playpark in the area. When officers attended the youths had dispersed and graffiti had been daubed on the walls of the park.”

The PSNI appealed for “anyone who has information that could assist us with our enquiries to contact police at Enniskillen on the non-emergency number, 101, quoting reference 1973 19/09/20; alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, at 0800 555 111”.