Anger after needles found near children's play area

Residents have been "angered" at the "ridiculous" discovery of needles linked to drug use, near a children's play area.

At least eight used syringes were found under a bridge near Clooney Road in Ballykelly, County Londonderry.

The police said they would "continue to use high visibility" patrols in the area and "arrest drug dealers involved in the sale and supply of drugs and put them before the courts".

Local resident JP McDaid said the discovery of the needles had "shocked and angered" people in the area.

"Primary school and secondary school children would use this underpass to get safely to their school buses everyday and to see in this area has really angered a lot of people," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"A total disregard for human safety is ridiculous.

"Hopefully, action will be taken to address this growing problem."

Sinn Féin councillor Dermot Nicholl said there could have been serious consequences if the needles had been picked up by a child.

"It doesn't bear thinking about, what could have come out of it," he said.

Nicholl said the people who had discarded the needles where they did need to "wise up, step up and stop whatever they're doing".

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) say the needles have since been collected for disposal.

They advise anyone finding a syringe or needle not to touch it but contact police or their local council who will dispose of it safely.

"Officers would also remind those who use needles of the risks to others that they cause by discarding these items so wantonly," a spokesperson said.

"Such items can be dangerous, especially to younger children who may not be aware of what they have found."

The underpass is owned by the Department for Infrastructure(DfI), which is responsible for its structural maintenance.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the DfI said: "We have been made aware of discarded needles in the area and understand these have been cleared by Council as they present an environmental health risk.

"We will work with Council should any further issues arise."