Residents fed up with illegal dumping

March 2010

WICKLOW Town Council’s resources are being stretched to the limit by the amount of illegal dumping and fly-tipping taking place. But that’s no consolation to residents of Ballyguile who find themselves surrounded by mounds of rubbish which are continuously being added to when they aren’t being set alight.

Ballyguile Hill has become a regular dumping spot featuring an off-putting mix of household waste, abandoned kitchen appliances, bags of rubbish, and bottles and cans of all descriptions.

The scene of the dumping has also become a breeding ground for rats and vermin. Residents are fed up with being surrounded by such filth, but while most people living in the area are aware of who the culprits are, they remain reluctant to speak out due to fears of intimidation.

One local, who didn’t want to be named, said the problem is getting out of hand. ‘We are completely fed up. It’s an out-and-out disgrace. There is nothing being done about it. Every now and again through the years there has been a token effort but nothing else.

‘Everyone knows who is doing it and it couldn’t be difficult for the council to find out either, if they don’t already know. It’s a sad thing to say but I actually think some people are getting used to the dumping it’s being going on for so long. This is attracting rats and it’s a health and safety issue as much as anything else. There are actually tidier dumps out there.