by Louise Doyle
THERE are renewed calls for a park warden in Letterkenny town park following what has been described as an “appalling incident” in which a group of teenagers threatened to sexually assault a child.
A mum has told of how she was at the skate park with her five-year-old child on Tuesday at 5pm when a group of up to seven boys aged 13 or 14 walked past shouting unsavoury remarks.
The woman challenged the teenagers, asking them to “mind their language”, but told of how when the group moved towards the bamboo area they started shouting back, mocking her at first before shouting an extremely offensive comment of a criminal and sexual nature to her child.
“I am just so shocked that children think it’s ok to shout this to a stranger, in a park with numerous children present,” the parent wrote on Letterkenny Babies Facebook page.
“If your teenage boy was with his friends at that time today heading for the bamboo area (which should be closed off in my opinion) please talk to them about threatening to sexually assault a five-year-old and the serious consequences that could arise from that. The gardaí have been informed.”
The mum has called for more garda presence in the park.
“The bamboo area that attracts this anti-social, threatening behaviour needs to be closed off,” the parent added.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District councillor Gerry McMonagle said he was “appalled” by the incident.
“This is an appalling incident. I was appalled when I read the abuse that was directed towards a child.
“Cameras have been put in (the park), and we have extra patrols but we are not going to catch everything.”
Cllr McMonagle previously raised the issue of the need for park wardens, however his calls were turned down due to a lack of funding. He said he intends to push the matter once again in light of the terrifying ordeal for the mum and her child.
“It’s back to the old chestnut of us looking for park wardens. I think having a park warden in the parks during the day time certainly would help curb this type of behaviour. I intend to revisit this call again now. The funding was the issue previously.
“We have two very beautiful parks used extensively by the public and visitors and it is important that we protect that sanctuary and peacefulness, and that people can enjoy the park without feeling under threat. It is incumbent too on the young people who use the park that they treat the park and the other people who use the park with respect and consideration.
If there’s a will, there’s a way and maybe we can look at the park attendant again to protect the asset, and to ensure that people feel comfortable and safe. There is an onus on us to protect people when we put these facilities in place.”
Cllr McMonagle added that he intends to speak with local gardaí regarding maintaining a presence in parks over the summer months.
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