A GROUP of concerned residents in Raheen has criticised the “lack of concern” and “distant” reaction of the local authority to illegal dumping in the Mulcair Road area.
Local residents saw several bags of waste being dumped on the morning of Thursday June 27 and, several days later, the bags were still in the area, despite promises to clear it immediately.
One resident spoke to the Limerick Post to highlight the “distant and indifferent” attitude of the council to the issue.
He said: “On Tuesday morning (July 2) there was somebody in there cutting grass and doing nothing about the rubbish. This shows a real lack of concern from the council.
“People are dumping grass cuttings in the area and that is drawing rats. We got a sign erected telling people no illegal dumping was allowed and there is a fine of €3,000 but it is not enforced. There are no cameras in the area and it shows a total lack of interest on the council’s part.”
Several councillors had asked for the rubbish to be removed from the Mulcair Road and a representative from the HSE called to the area within the last week, deducing that the situation is “out of order”.
Residents spoke of the “serious health issue” arising from the illegal dumping, adding that it is by no means a new epidemic.
The Limerick Post was told: “The grass is being cut there every two to three weeks but this is a far more serious problem. Rats are being drawn to the area and this is a serious health issue, but the council couldn’t be bothered doing anything about it.
“This has been happening for years. We even called Rentokil to the area about two or three years ago as there were a lot of rats around the place at that time.
“There is an elderly lady whose back garden faces into the field where this is happening and she is at her wit’s end. People are walking dogs and children are playing in the field and they have to pass by the rubbish to get in.”
Residents confirmed that there are currently four bags of rubbish illegally dumped in the area, one of which contains food waste and is attracting rats.
