ILLEGAL DUMPING A BLIGHT ON SLIABH LUACHRA[
THE historic site of a famous ambush in 1921 is being disrespected on a constant basis and it is being abused as an illegal dumping ground by numerous people, councillors in Killarney have been told.
Nick Coveney was a one-man deputation to meet the council at which he outlined ongoing issues in the Knocknabowl and Ballydesmond area where some major issues persist.
He said black bags filled with household rubbish and soiled nappies are being dumped there routinely and the bags are being ripped open by wildlife and strewn all over the area.
“Certain roads in the area are being used as a rat run. We feel like we’re a forgotten corner of Kerry,” Mr Coveney told councillors.
Problems with unsightly industrial sites in such a rural area, poor road surfaces, the erection of wind turbines and associated site works and a huge dumping on the R577 Cordal to Rathmore road were big issues that need to be examined, he said.
Mr Coveney said another problem was that all the signage on the road was in the Irish language despite the fact that it is not in a Gaeltacht area.
Councillors agreed to his request to consider erecting covert cameras in the area in an attempt to pinpoint those involved in illegal dumping while the council’s area engineer, John Ahern, said he would examine the issue of road signage in the area.
Cllr Bobby O’Connell, who arranged for Mr Coveney to address the council, said it is terrible to see indiscriminate dumping at the site of an historic ambush in 1921.
“We must make an effort to install covert cameras and the message we should be sending out to those involved is that you are going to get caught,” he said.
Mr Coveney is very grateful to Cllr O’Connell and Kerry County Council staff in Castleisland. “Cllr O’Connell always listens to the issues we raise with him and the council staff are great to respond to our calls for help,” he said.