'Lives At Risk' As Defibrillator Case Smashed

A defibrillator case has been vandalised the night before the vital equipment was due to be installed in a Belfast playing field, sparking criticism from local government officials.

The case in Strangford Avenue Playing Fields in south Belfast was smashed on Wednesday 31 October.

It has since been revealed that the life-saving machine was set to be placed in the case the following day, but this has now been delayed due to vandalism.

UUP Councillor Jeffrey Dudgeon said the "mindless act" was putting lives at risk, and urged other culprits to think about their actions.

"It is possible they will look at the design of the case when they check if there is a better position to locate it somewhere where it is not as vulnerable to attacks like this."

Mr Dudgeon urged the vandals to consider what would happen if someone close to them, perhaps their parents or grandparents, needed the device.

SDLP Councillor for the area Donal Lyons added: "The Strangford Avenue playing fields are well used and treasured by a broad range of groups, so it's disappointing to see thoughtless and selfless acts like this.

"Defibrillators are an important piece of public health equipment as survival chances for a heart attack victim decrease by 10% for each minute defibrillation is delayed.

"There hasn't been much of a problem with this type of behaviour in the area over recent years but there does seem to be a pattern emerging. I've asked the Council to see what we can do to nip it in the bud and prevent any damage like this happening again."



(JG)