Posted online: Aug 22nd, 2008

By Donna Deeney
donna@letterkennypost.com

Letterkenny Town Park has become a no go area for ‘decent families’ of the town both day and night.
This was the claim of one man who cut short a visit with his two children to the park because of harassment from illegal traders operating in the park.

He man, who wants to remain anonymous said other parents he knows feel the same and they too have stopped taking their children to the park.

He said: “Between people practically accosting you trying to sell balloons and people looking to braid wee girls’ hair the town park has become a no go area for many parents.

“The last time I took my two children I was so fed up I just left again and I won’t be going back and neither will plenty of other parents I know.

“This is our park and we should be able to take our children there without being tortured.
“Its bad enough that you can’t go into the park after dark because of the gangs of teenagers who use the back of it as a drinking and drug den, but we should feel comfortable enough going there in broad daylight.”

Cllr Damien Blake said he was horrified to learn that people were being intimidated while at a Council facility.

He added: “There are no licences issued for trading in the town park nor will there ever be in the future for this park or for the new park when it is completed.

“I would urge anyone who is approached by anyone trying to sell anything in the park to contact the Garda or the town council on 0749194222 .”