Vandalism at Greysteel Centre is '˜shameful'

Colr. Nicholl outside Greysteel Community Centre where a window grill was ripped open.

Sinn Fein Councillor Dermot Nicholl was speaking after vandals damaged play equipment at the local play park over the weekend.

A seat from one of the last working pieces of equipment had been ripped off and thrown on to the roof, he said.

Sandbags placed on the roof of the centre by Causeway Council following storm damage had been removed from the roof and emptied on the ground while graffiti was daubed on the side of a wall.

Sand from one of the bags on the roof scattered on the ground.

Colr. Nicholl said: “There’s an audit currently being conducted in Greysteel to establish the needs of the local community, but this type of vandalism isn’t doing the community any favours.

“I don’t understand the mentality of people who think going out and wrecking equipment at the weekend is recreation, never mind putting their lives at risk by climbing on to a roof, and for what?

“It’s ludicrous. What do they get out of it?”

Colr. Nicholl made this appeal to the community.

“I believe it’s being done by local people, and I also believe local people know who they are,” he said.

“It’s time for the community to stand up to this and report anything they see.”

Colr. Nicholl added: “This is an attack on the community and these people need to leave valuable community resources alone.”

Raymond O’Hara from Greysteel Community Centre said the anti-social behaviour means the play park, situated within the grounds of the Centre, will no longer be open after hours.

“We had such lovely weather at the weekend so I thought the play park should be open, but look at what’s happened.

“I’m so disappointed and, unfortunately, I’m going to have to close the play park when no-one after hours,” said Mr. O’Hara, adding: “Whoever is behind this needs to wise up and grow up.”