Residents cannot hang out washing because of fumes
THE May Eve bonfire night celebration is giving councillors and City Hall officials a scorching headache.
Calling for measures to ensure against a complete scorching of the city’s open greens and damage to adjoining property, the city council’s environmental committee are determined to dampen down any overheated plans.
“We can look forward to an orgy of bonfires at the end of the month, which will involve an orgy of dumping onto the greens throughout the city and will cost the council thousands of euro to clean up,” commented Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon
“It’s been getting worse over the years but especially this year the council cannot afford the money and manpower required to clean up and repair the damage that these massive bonfires inflict.
“We should not have stopped providing the bulk collection service we had for a number of years – that enabled householders deposit old furniture and other unwanted household items at a communal collection point for our trucks. In the run up to bonfire night, people will be throwing old beds, sofas, mattresses and all kinds of stuff out on to the greens”.
Agreeing that rogue collectors are doing great business from collecting items and using the greens as a dumping ground, Cllr Joe Leddin said the situation is “gone beyond a joke.
“There are groups making three or four bonfires a night – people can’t hang out their washing because of the smoke and fumes – there are trucks offloading stuff for the bonfires and the Fire Brigade is frequently called out when these fires get out of control and then get battered by locals”.
Cllr Kathleen Leddin said the council should be in a position to remove items of large furniture from the greens.
“Traditionally, bonfire night was that – one night, but now its a bonfire week,” lamented Cllr Ger Fahy.
Council executive, Caroline Curley, said:
“Unfortunately, we are talking of another culture here but we will be doing a publicity campaign on this and hoping for some help from the media.
“However, once something goes on fire we have to leave it there for over a week for our staff’s health and safety protection”.
Ms Curley said they will be in touch with the gardai and residents groups and taking effective measures to deal with the situation.
