Woodvale Park appeal as portaloo 'set alight and destroyed' during £200,000 pitch refurbishment

A portaloo was "set alight and completely destroyed" during £200,000 pitch refurbishment works at a Belfast park.

On Tuesday, June 25, police attended the scene at Woodvale Park to find the portaloo completely destroyed. It comes as work is currently underway as part of a Belfast City Council project to see an aging multi-use games area in the park transformed into a new nine-a-side football pitch with LED floodlights.

The new pitch will be Shankill Juniors FC's first permanent base since it was formed in 1987. The project is funded by Belfast Council and the UK Government through the Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund, managed locally by the Irish FA.

Read more: Belfast grassroots football club to benefit from new £200,000 pitch project

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On the recent incident in the park, Councillor Nicola Verner said: "I am beyond words...have just had these photos sent of a portaloo vandalised and burnt in Woodvale Park.

"The workmen are there to refurbish a pitch costing almost £200,000 for our kids to play football and sport on. Instead we have some complete idiots causing destruction and damage

"Shankill Juniors Football Club and myself have worked hard to secure this investment so if anyone has any information on who is responsible please pass it to the police - we cannot and should not tolerate this behaviour!"

A spokesperson for the PSNI added: "Police attended a report of a fire at the Woodvale Park area of North Belfast on Tuesday 25th June. It was reported that a portaloo was set alight and completely destroyed.

"Police would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to the incident, to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 1772 25/06/24."

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