A memorial play park in Belfast has been closed after vandals damaged the site with fireworks and e-bikes. The Michelle Baird Memorial Park in Glencairn, named after the seven-year-old who was the youngest victim of the 1993 Shankill bombing, sustained significant damage over the weekend.

Jennifer Taylor, chair of the Glencairn Community Project, said young people set off fireworks that caused a small hole in the ground. The damage worsened the following evening when individuals removed tape placed by the council and rode bicycles over the affected area, using more fireworks.

The park is now chained closed. Taylor estimated the damage at thousands of pounds and said the closure limits play space for children in an area with few resources. She urged young people to show respect for the park's dedication to Michelle Baird, whose family still lives in the estate.

Taylor also called on police to address the sale of illegal fireworks to children, stating that people travel from outside the area to buy them and that police have been informed multiple times.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said officers recently searched a property in the area and seized fireworks. The PSNI said fireworks can be dangerous and cause distress, and promised patrols as darker evenings approach.

Belfast City Council said it is aware of damage to the play surface caused by fireworks. The affected area is closed while damage is assessed and repairs are arranged. The council could not yet confirm how long the closure will last or the repair cost.

North Belfast MLA Brian Kingston described the vandalism as disgraceful and extremely disappointing. He noted the park is particularly valued by the local community and that its closure deprives children of a needed space. Kingston said some young people may be unaware of the park's history, but the vandalism caused extra distress to those who remember.

The Shankill bombing killed nine people, including Michelle Baird and her parents. The IRA bomb exploded in a fish shop on the Shankill Road on 23 October 1993.