South Dublin playground seriously damaged in arson attack

Firefighters from Tara Street fire station were called to the area to deal with the fire.

LAST UPDATE | 8 Sep 2025

A PLAYGROUND IN Sandymount, Dublin 4, was subject to a serious arson attack last night.

Dublin Fire Brigade confirmed it was called out to the area to deal with the fire.

“Sadly, firefighters from Tara Street fire station were called to playground facilities alight last night in Sandymount,” it said in a post online.

“Crews used a high pressure hose reel to extinguish the fire and made the scene safe. This morning, some hotspots were further cooled on the structure.”

G0Ugq_WWYAARz-X Crews used a high pressure hose reel to extinguish the fire and made the scene safe, the fire brigade said. Dublin Fire Brigade Dublin Fire Brigade

Local TD, Fine Gael’s James Geoghegan, condemned the attack in a post to X this morning.

“This is the worst arson attack yet by mindless vandals who have given two fingers to their community. I have spoken with local Gardaí this morning and Dublin City Council.”

Speaking to The Journal this afternoon, local Fianna Fáil councillor Rory Hogan said the playground has been the target of a number of similar attacks over the past few years.

“It’s infuriating how many times this issue has reoccurred over the last few years,” he said.

Hogan further said he believes the reoccurring issue is down to the collective faults of the council and gardaí not to take definitive action, such as installing cameras to act as a deterrent.

“You hate when people are forced to contact you on the same issue over and over again,” he said.

A garda spokesperson confirmed gardaí attended the scene following a report of criminal damage by fire. It occurred at approximately 9:40pm, the spokesperson said.

“Fire services extinguished the fire and made the area safe. No injuries were reported at the time. Investigations are ongoing.”

Early last week, a local playground in Castlegate Park, Lucan, Co Dublin, also suffered an arson attack.

Local councillor Derren Ó Bradáigh criticised the attack and said there was not adequate garda resourcing to deter similar attacks and anti-social behaviour in the area.