Council investigating bizzare dumping of old ambulance parts at Banna beauty spot

KERRY County Council has confirmed it is investigating the illegal dumping of what is believed to be parts of an old ambulance in North Kerry.

Local residents came across the strange material last week at Sandy Lane, close to Banna beach, one of Kerry’s most scenic beaches.

Sandy Lane is quite secluded leading to its use for illegal dumping on several locations the most recent of which has involved a large amount of material from this old vehicle. It’s believed the ambulance had been decomissioned prior to being repurposed by a private seller.

Cllr Deidre Ferris (Sinn Fein) said that she was contacted about the material and in turn contacted the local authority. She said that given the volume of material and the size of some of the panels meant a larger truck than normally used by wardens was required to remove the unsightly mess.

Cllr Ferris says illegal dumping is on the increase and something she has been continuously receiving calls about in recent weeks in particular.

“This kind of dumping is ongoing there is illegal waste all over the place. The number of calls I am getting is significant,” she said.

Unlike most illegal dumping this material did not include any household rubbish, only panels of the vehicle and even part of the dashboard along with wires and other paraphernalia. It was dumped in two locations side by side and no other material was found.

The material, which caused upset and anger in the local community at the blight upon the beauty spot, has since been cleared up. Kerry County Council said the material does appear to be from an ambulance.

The council is investigating the matter. Cllr Ferris believes that funds from the property tax should be used by the local authority for waste removal which would stop this type of behaviour.