Confusion over Solitude play park incident

Police issued a statement appealing for information following criminal damage in the play park at Solitude Park.

It is believed that some time between 9.30pm on Monday, April 21 and Tuesday morning, April 22, damage was caused.

A number of bottles are also said to have been smashed in the park.

However Banbridge District Council says it is “unaware of recent criminal damage to the play park”, which it controls.

Con Brannigan, Banbridge Response, said: “This play park is used by many families from the local area and there is no justification for damage being caused. Smashed bottles mean that young children are put at risk of being hurt in an environment where they should be able to play safely.

“I am appealing to anyone who notices people in the park after opening hours to contact police immediately so that we can respond and prevent any further damage at this community facility. I would also like to hear from anyone who has information in relation to the incident above. We can be contacted at Banbridge Police Station on the 101 non-emergency number.”

Meanwhile local people have taken to the PSNI Banbridge Facebook page to air their views on the park.

One mother commented: “The park is disgusting, I took my two-year-old once and in the middle of one of the tunnels was only what I could describe as some sort of human waste - never will I be back near it.”

Another person wrote: “I remember when I was younger it was supervised, clean and provided hours of endless fun. Now it’s a dirty hole where all the teenagers that have nothing better to do hang out.”

“We don’t go anymore as it’s dirty and full of foul mouthed ignorant teens,” added another person. “My toddler was nearly run over by an idiot flying through on his bike.”