https://www.dublinlive.ie/sport/soccer/swords-gangs-gardai-destruction-dublin-20519435Night of destruction after gang leave 'damaging trail' trashing Swords clubhouse"Another night, another mess for somebody to clean up"By Alex Dunne
10:05, 4 MAY 2021 UPDATED10:06, 4 MAY 2021
SPORT
A Dublin football club was left cleaning up a Bank Holiday mess after a gang trashed their training field and damaged their clubhouse.
Members of Swords Manor FC, who are based in the Ward River Valley, woke up to a pitch littered with cans, glass bottles, and, infuriatingly, empty boxes left strewn across the field.
The handrail outside the clubhouse was also broken off and left dangerously dangling down.
The club took to social media this morning, raging and calling for immediate action from Fingal County Council and the Gardai as they claim this isn't the first time it has happened.
"Another night, another mess for somebody to clean up," the club wrote.
"It’s getting a joke now, the amount of gangs that are taking up residence on our pitches and leaving behind a trail of destruction.
"And having been out walking around last night looks like the majority of the people are not even from the area.
"We need action urgently to stop this type of behaviour [from] Fingal County Council [and] An Garda Síochána..
"We need more patrols around the area.
"We need bigger fences around playground and astro and our building and all locked up at night.
"Let’s stop these groups gathering around the area."
Sinn Fein Councillor Ann Graves was quick to reply, saying the matter would be brought to the Council's attention urgently.
She said: "Absolute disgrace! I’ve asked the operations manager to meet with members of the club now that there’s a lifting of restrictions - see if measures can be put in place to prevent further damage!"
And local residents say they are sick of the anti-social behaviour.
One wrote: "Absolute scumbags, Swords Manor like other clubs are trying their best to provide great facilities for the young players (boys and girls) these few morons are ruining it for everyone."
Another said: "That's just a disgrace what scum does this and thinks it's okay."
And a third replied: "So horrible! Our lovely area being trashed senselessly!"