WATCH: Fires by Laois vandals damaged pricey new public walkway
New public walkway in Laois town amenity area has been damaged by vandals burning debris
Mountmellick residents have condemned the burning of fires on a new walkway across Smiths Field, now permanently damaged just a year after it was installed.
“I looked over and saw the fire brigade pull up at College Avenue, and at least 10 to 15 youngsters just ran on the walkway. I think it was Saturday night. That was cleared off. This must be from a fresh fire,” a nearby resident walking past the site told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
“The worst thing they put in was the walkway, because if they cause trouble out here, they have all the routes to run. It’s just a go-between. The people that give them the stuff are to blame. Halloween is coming up and it’s going to be worse again,” the resident said.
The fire has melted plastic debris into the tarmac path beside the bridge at College Avenue. More debris is dumped in and around the river.
The latest damage comes in the face of ongoing costly efforts by the council and by local volunteers, to improve the secluded large field which lies out of sight from public roads.
Laois County Council installed the properly lit tarmac path for students, residents and sports clubs to take a safe shortcut from Harbour Street to College Avenue. It plans to build a housing estate in their section of Smiths Field, which is hoped to reduce anti-social behaviour. Mountmellick United soccer club is fundraising for a rejuvenation of Smiths Field to extend their pitches adding a bridge over the river.
“I don’t think it will matter, it depends on who gets the houses. I think it will be even worse. I hope there’ll be no damage done to the soccer club,” the walker said.
“I saw pallets and yellow pumpkins all burnt into it last week. I think it’s disgraceful. I don’t know who did it, it’s very unfair, imagine if small children who know no different if they have to go near that,” another walker reported.
A third resident was walking his dog along the path.
“It’s absolutely terrible. I don’t mind people going up on scooters, but when you’ve got broken glass here, people are throwing beds out, all sorts of dirt.
“There’s after been a lot of money pumped into the park here, I think it’s so nice for people to come out with their dogs, I use it all the time. But the rubbish gets thrown all over. Whoever put the path in has made a huge effort, a lot of people use it but you get a lot who abuse it, and it’s wrong,” the local man said.
Twice this week, MountmellickTidy Towns shared photos of burnt out debris in two separate incidences, both later cleared away by Laois County Council staff, but the tarmac has been melted into plastic that appears to have been a burnt out wheelie bin.
The Tidy Towns group has appealed to the vandals to stop, and want their names.
“ Words just aren't enough to describe the mindless vandalism. The individual(s) clearly don't realise the level of work and effort that has been done in Smiths field and with more work yet to be done.If anyone has any information on this matter please reach out to myself or the authorities,” the group said when posting photos on social media two days ago.
On Thursday they made another appeal.
“Here we go again, another post, another fire, another appeal. Please, please whoever you are STOP & think about the mindless act of vandalism your doing!We're also appealing to people who are purposely leaving items out for these young people to collect for these fires to also STOP doing this!
“We're also pretty sure some of you know who is setting these fires or leaving items out for them so please name them so we can try & get this issue sorted before someone gets hurt,” they said.
Laois County Council director of services Simon Walton spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
”The damage is very disappointing, particularly so having regard to the significant, ongoing efforts and investment to enhance Smith’s Field.
“Nonetheless, Laois County Council will not be deterred and the local enhancements will continue, in line with significant ongoing local support for same. Equally the damaged section of walkway will be repaired.
“I would urge anyone who has information regarding this incident to report it to An Garda Siochana,” Mr Walton said.
Smiths Field continues to suffer anti social behaviour. Most recently during the dry spell it was set on fire which spread into the hedgerow beside Kirwan Park, with residents evacuated by Gardai as two Fire crews fought the fire.
Earlier this year scramblers damaged the surface of the playing pitch.
Last summer as the new path was being built, fencing and a portable toilet were vandalised.
The town's playground was relocated from the field 14 years ago after repeated vandalism, fires and dumping.
The isolated location was also where beloved local teenager Darragh Conroy, 14, was murdered by Darren Coss aged 16, in 2003.
Laois County Council bought almost 10 acres of the field in 2024 from Mountmellick Parish for €250,000, with 2 acres of it to be a site for up to 26 new houses. The council say it will also install a new nature based playground and multi use games areas and a carpark.
The parish agreed a long term lease to the soccer club for the other part of Smiths Field.
Mountmellick United FC soccer club has planning permission and €350,000 funding to build a multi-use floodlit astroturf pitch, a lit circular walkway, and a new footbridge over the Owenass River connecting to their Conor Davis Park grounds. Their upcoming Mountmellick goes to Hollywood fundraiser has just surpassed €100,000 for the project, with more still being fundraised.