There are growing fears within our community about the safety and security of playgrounds across County Laois, particularly The People’s Park in Portlaoise. These concerns have been heightened following the case of Noah Woods in the UK, as well as personal experiences shared by families in our own community.

The People’s Park playground currently has no surrounding fencing or secure gate and is situated directly in front of a body of water. This understandably causes concern for parents and guardians, particularly regarding children’s safety and the potential risk of accidental access to the water.

We believe that appropriate safety measures, including secure fencing and gated access, should be considered by Laois County Council to help protect children and provide greater reassurance and peace of mind for families using the park.

Portlaoise's playgrounds are cherished spaces where our children laugh, play, and grow. However, without proper security measures, these spaces pose a risk to our most vulnerable children. Many playgrounds across Laois currently  have unsecured or inadequately maintained gates, leading to potential hazards for children, especially those who are neurodivergent and might not readily understand or respond to environmental dangers.

According to the Irish Society for Autism, children on the autism spectrum can have a tendency to wander or elope from safe environments. It is our responsibility to ensure that any public spaces intended for our children to enjoy are secure and well-monitored. Currently, our playgrounds fall short of these crucial safety standards.

To prevent any future incidents, we urgently ask Laois County council  for a comprehensive safety audit for all playgrounds in county Laois . This audit should assess the security, maintenance, and overall safety of the environments, with particular attention to gate locks, boundary enclosures, and child-proof safety measures. Moreover, regular updates and funding should be allocated to ensure that any recommendations from this audit are swiftly implemented and maintained over time.

By signing this petition, you’re not only advocating for the safety of neurodivergent children but for the security and welfare of every child in Laois . Let us come together as a community to ensure that our children can play safely, giving parents peace of mind knowing that their little ones are protected. Please sign and share this petition to urge the local authorities to act now, ensuring our playgrounds are as safe as they possibly can be.