By Ursula Duddy
Reporter

A ‘handful of negative youths’ have been slammed for ongoing vandalism at a new play facility in Creggan.
A new district play park, currently under construction at Bishop’s Field, has been repeatedly targeted by vandals.
Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Campbell of the Triax Neighbourhood Management Team condemned the spate of wanton destruction.
“This park has been long fought for and is for the children of the area,” he said.
“The Triax Neighbourhood Management Team over the last number of years has been to the forefront of fighting for a park for this area.
“This is an area which has been deprived of play facilities for children for decades and now we are on the cusp of delivering a state of the art play facility for Creggan and it is being put in jeopardy because of the actions of a minority of young people in the area.”
Cllr Campbell continued: “I have been inundated with complaints from residents of the area about the vandalism that is happening at Bishop’s Field.
“The security fencing, which was erected to protect residents from the site, has been constantly pulled down and damaged and as late as Saturday night the rubber matting of the old play area was set on fire by youths.
“These actions, by a minority of the area, are putting the opportunity for a state of the art play facility for all the children of the Creggan in jeopardy.”
Cllr Campbell called on the vandals to stop and urged the wider community to be more vigilant.
“I am appealing to those involved to desist from these actions immediately and I am also appealing to the parents in the area to be aware of where your children are at and what they are up to at night,” he said.
“Please do not allow a handful of negative youths to destroy the opportunity to have something positive for all the children of the Creggan.”