Copyright thesun
A BOY has been arrested over a suspected arson attack at a playground in Dublin earlier this month. It comes after a slide structure in the Sean Moore Park playground in Dublin’s Sandymount was set on fire. Gardai and Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene on the night of Sunday September 7, with fire crews battling to extinguish the blaze. Cops are treating the incident as criminal damage by fire. Today officers revealed they arrested a boy in connection with the suspected arson attack at a playground in Sandymount. A Garda spokesperson said: “He has since been released without charge pending a referral to the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau. We have no further comment at this time.” The blaze destroyed the main structure supporting the slide in the playground. Local politicians were left fuming following the arson attack at the park, which was the sixth fire at the site in recent years. Dublin Bay South TD James Geoghegan said: “This time the fire brigade had to be called – local people are so frustrated with it now. “We got the dreadful news that the main structure in the playground was on fire. The playground is now shut, and building control from Dublin City Council has been inspecting it. “We need to get this facility rebuilt. It is a very popular amenity for the local communities. There are a number of primary schools in the area, and the park is a big attraction.” Mr Geoghegan, who estimated the cost of repairs at least €100,000, called for increased Garda patrols in the area. He said: “There used to be garda bicycle patrols, but they seem to have stopped. The people of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount need those patrols back. “I met one resident who was on the way to the park, and when they saw what happened, they had to tell their child the playground was closed because someone set fire to it. “The child then asked them if they would set fire to houses. That’s very sad. It’s worrying. “The photos and videos that were being distributed on social media were quite frightening. It was a big fire that only the fire brigade could fight. “With other fires, residents have been able to put them out, but this is the worst attack since the playground opened around six years ago.”
