Move to tackle forest dumping
A PUBLIC meeting attended by multiple stakeholders took place on Friday in an effort to clamp down on the intensive dumping which took place at Glenmalure over the previous two weekends.
‘Forest parties’ saw revellers leave behind huge amounts of tents, barbecues, sleeping bags, food items, plastic bags and other items discarded within the Glenmalure Valley.
Things improved this weekend following the meeting, with Gardai patrolling the area on Saturday and Sunday, however there are still fears that further parties could be planned for the weeks and months ahead.
Local hill farmer and Chair of Glenmalure Pure Mile, Pat Dunne said: ‘It was soul destroying to see the mess they left behind over two weekends in a row.’
He added: ‘I think Covid-19 is playing a big role. None of the usual music festivals are taking place because of Covid and drink is so cheap that large groups are deciding to hold their own parties.’
A MEETING attended by multi-stakeholders was held in the Glenmalure Lodge on Friday organised in response to the intensive dumping which took place in the area over the previous two weekends.
‘Forest parties’ saw revellers leave behind huge amounts of tents, barbecues, sleeping bags, food items, plastic bags and other items discarded in the some of the most scenic spots within the Glenmalure Valley.
Local councillors, Wicklow County Council officials, and representatives from the local community, Wicklow Uplands Council and the Pure Project all attended Monday’s meeting.
Local hill farmer and Chair of Glenmalure Pure Mile, Pat Dunne, is hopeful the meeting will help prevent similar occurrences over the coming weeks.
‘We used to some similar issues many years ago but it was very much under control, until very recently. A few weekends ago some visitors decided to create their own festival and left everything behind them, including tents, food and rubbish. There were quite a few visitors this weekend as well, but thankfully there was a huge improvement. A Litter Officer for Wicklow County Council visited the sites and spoke to the campers. He gave them plastic bags and asked them to bring their rubbish hone. There was also a Garda presence in Glenmalure on Saturday and Sunday. As you know the presence of a uniform makes a big difference.
‘Most people packed up everything after this weekend and brought it home with them. However, some people left behind black bags of rubbish to be collected, which isn’t ideal. Wild animals usually get at the bags and spread the contents everywhere. While taking away all waste is desired, this is a big move back in the right direction.’
The previous two weekends had resulted in extensive dumping due to ‘forest parties’ taking place.
‘The parties tend to be spread out over a few miles. There are spots they use in big groups and then they just leave everything behind,’ said Mr Dunne.
‘It was soul destroying to see the mess they left behind. It’s so annoying. Brand new tents were all left behind. They buy them, use them once and then just throw them away. The same with collapsible chairs. They aren’t seasoned campers as they show respect for their equipment. They are also causing water pollution as there was rubbish and broken glass left on both sides of the stream.’
While things improved over the weekend just gone, there are still concerns that similar parties could take place over the coming weekends, causing more pollution and environmental damage.
Mr Dunne added: ‘There was rubbish left everywhere two weekends ago and we had over 40 volunteers show up for a clean-up I posted on Facebook. One volunteer came from as far away as Ballyfermot. We left the whole place pristine within a few hours, only for it to be destroyed again the following weekend. I think Covid-19 is playing a big role. None of the usual music festivals are taking place because of Covid and drink is so cheap, large groups are deciding to hold their own parties. Hopefully things will now improve.’