A floral memorial to those who have died by suicide in West Dublin that was damaged by vandals during the week has been repaired.
The 'Tree of Hope' at Quarryvale Community and Leisure Centre was damaged by a group of local girls as young as 11 on Wednesday.
Flowers which symbolised lost loved ones were pulled from the flowerbed that surrounds the tree and then allegedly thrown at staff in the centre in Clondalkin .
Vandals damage tree planted in memory of those who died by suicide in west Dublin
Mayor of South Dublin Mark Ward condemned the callous attack at the time and pledged to replace the flowers and repair the damage done to the memorial.
He also urged parents to talk their children.
And yesterday, he visited the centre, where he replanted flowers at the base of the tree.
Cllr Ward said: "I was just over in the Quarryvale Community Centre where I replaced the flowers at the Tree of Hope that were vandalised.
"I met staff who told me the girls that did this were 11 years old. Whilst this is shocking they are only kids.
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"This is also about awareness. I don't believe these kids realise the affect suicide and mental health has on our community.
"Something good can come out of this if after reading this post you have a conversation with your children about what happened and always let them know 'it's OK not to be OK'."
The centre had shared upsetting pictures of the damage caused by the youngsters on Wednesday, adding that to add insult to injury, the young vandals had thrown the dead flowers at staff.
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They said: "This is the result of vandalism from a group of young girls from this community who despite having being told what the flowers represented not only did they destroy the flowerbeds but also thought it was then acceptable to then come into the centre and throw the flowers at the staff.
"This is a very sad time that we live in."
Locals were quick to congratulate Cllr Ward for being true to his word and replacing the damaged flowers.
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One wrote: "Fair play Mark Their parents should be told If they did it once what's to say they won't come back and do.it again."
Another expressed concern at the age of the youngsters involved in the vandalism, posting: "Ah Mark, only kids now, but if they have no respect for anything at 11, God knows what they will be like 16, 17.
"Parents should be informed. Where does it stop?"
A local woman added: "There parents should be told so they can be told about how important this tree is to the area."
