‘Wheelbarrow loads’ of cat litter dumped

A NORTH Kerry land owner has said she is sick and tired of continuous dumping of what appears to be cat litter on the approach route to her farm, which she fears could have dangerous health and safety implications for her family and her animals.

Joan Essen and her husband Robin keep animals at a farm at Tobertureen, Moyvane and are currently in the process of renovating a farm house and moving there full time.

However, over the past two years or so they have been left disgusted by the continuous dumping of what Joan says is heaps of cat litter on the approach road to the property.

‘Wheelbarrow loads’ of cat litter is being regularly dumped on the side of the road, Joan says, leaving a disgusting smell and unknown health and safety risks.

“This has been going on for a long time now, years probably, but it needs to get sorted once and for all,” an angry Joan told The Kerryman.

“It’s obviously one person doing this over and over again, and they seem to be bringing wheelbarrow loads of it at a time.

“Apart from the absolute stench of it, which is disgusting, God only knows what kind of dangerous bacteria and parasites are in it and what health and safety implications that could have.”

The latest dumping spree occurred two weekends ago, with cat litter clearly visible to anyone who passes by.

“This is absolutely disgusting and we’re not the only ones who have to pass it.

“The road is also popular with walkers and joggers and is used by people going to the bog and many parents take their children up here for walks” Joan said.

“The person doing this is being completely irresponsible because it is unknown what damage it can cause from a health and safety point of view,” she said.

“I come up here to tend to the animals all the time and we are hoping to move in permanently soon and have my grandchildren here for the summer, so this simply has to stop now. I am not out to have someone prosecuted but I just want them to see the danger of what they’re doping.

Joan has been in contact with Kerry County council on the matter and said that they have moved the mound of litter on one or two occasions, but she is no calling for a permanent solution.

“As it stands, my husband will have to clear away this latest pile of litter this weekend, but that is not a solution.

“It has gone on for too long now and it we’ve just had enough.”

The latest pile of cat litter that has been dumped on the approach road to Joan and Robin Essen’s land at Tobertureen, Moyvane.