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Play park arson attack 'sickening', says mother

Mike McBride
BBC News NI
Claire McGill Claire McGill is pictured beside her daughter Sianon who is in a wheelchair. Their heads are touching as they pose for the photo. Claire has red hair and is smiling. Sianon has her hair tied back and is wearing a white top with a light blue scarf.Claire McGill
Claire McGill, whose daughter Sianon is a wheelchair user, says she is "shocked and sickened" after the arson in Strathfoyle on Wednesday evening

An arson attack on a play park has been condemned as "sickening" by a mother who campaigned for it to include play equipment for disabled children.

Claire McGill, a mother-of-three, said she was "shocked and sickened" after arsonists set fire to equipment at the play park in Strathfoyle, County Londonderry, on Wednesday evening.

Her daughter, Sianon, who is a wheelchair-user with special needs, is among the children who use the park.

The police confirmed that the fire on Wednesday night is being treated as arson.

Mark H Durkan A number of firefighters stand near to a fire engine with its lights flashing. A hose can be seen being brought towards the gates of the play park. Mark H Durkan
Firefighters seen attending scene on Wednesday night

The play park is a popular spot for young families in the area, following years of campaigning by residents' groups for the facility.

Residents, including Claire McGill, had successfully campaigned for disabled-friendly play equipment to be installed in 2022, after it was not included in the original plans.

"It's just heartbreaking as a mum, because my kids, like many others, use the park regularly," she said.

"I have a daughter with special needs, and all my kids use the park — it's a place we all go.

"It's the kids across the whole area who are going to suffer from this sort of thing."

Claire McGill Sianon is in a white T-shirt and navy trousers in her wheelchair. She is enjoying a wheelchair-accessible ride at the play park in Strathfoyle. A person out of shot can be seen holding a railing on the ride. Claire McGill
Sianon loves playing in the park with her whole family, her mother says

Ms McGill said the arson attack was especially disappointing as it had been carried out in the run-up to summer.

"This is meant to be a safe place for them to have fun. It's sad that this has happened and it's a shame for all the kids of Strathfoyle."

PSNI A police officer is seen standing beside a play park in Strathfoyle. The gates are closed. PSNI
The playpark was closed on Thursday morning as police remained at the scene

The Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFRS) said they were called to reports of a slide on fire at the park in the Beechwood Park area of Strathfoyle.

They also confirmed it had been started deliberately.

DCSDC a row of wooden fencing boards, partially charred by fire. Some parts are natural wood, some blackened by smoke and flamesDCSDC
Derry and Strabane Council described the damage as substatial

The park closed on Thursday, Derry City and Strabane District Council said, adding that substantial damage had been caused to some sections of the play area.

The city's mayor Lilian Seenoi Barr said she was "appalled by this senseless act of vandalism".

"The council is committed to restoring the park as quickly as possible and will keep the public informed of progress," Seenoi Barr added.

Strathfoyle play park 'hard fought for'

Strathfoyle play park has a number of slides and swings, as well as climbing frames. A number of benches are scattered across the site that is fenced off.
The playpark pictured before the arson attack

The SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan condemned it as an attack on the local community.

He also thanked firefighters whose swift response helped to limit the extent of the damage, and urged anyone with information to contact the police.

"It's been so busy the last couple of weeks with the weather being so good," Durkan told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"This park in Strathfoyle was hard fought for and it has been much-loved for many years."

He said it "defies belief" that anyone would consider it acceptable or tolerable to set part of it on fire.