The Local Councillor received information recently which reveals that over 380 bonfires took place in South Dublin during the 2017 Halloween bonfire season. Their clean-up and subsequent reinstatement of the ground formed a huge portion of the €87,000 in taxpayers funding which was spent.
Earlier this summer, the Chief Executive of South Dublin County confirmed to Cllr. O’Connor that unmanned aerial vehicles [Drones] will be deployed to detect the illegal stockpiling of bonfire material. Cllr O’Connor said, “The illegal stockpiling of bonfire materials in the lead up to Halloween can cause major stress and difficulty for residents across South Dublin. “In the two week period before October 31st last year, South Dublin County Council was notified of 300 illegal stockpiles which were to be set alight on Halloween night. The vast majority of the 156 tonnes of material collected by SDCC in the same two weeks was intended for bonfires.
“There are many communities across Tallaght and South Dublin that suffer year after year from the social, economic and environmental impact of illegal bonfires. “The residents in these areas have repeatedly demanded action to be taken to prevent these bonfires, which pose a very dangerous threat to the safety of anyone living nearby and their property. It would be more much more
effective if a comprehensive strategy was devised between all relevant agencies and put into action over the summer months well in advance of Halloween.
“We all have a responsibility to make our young people aware of the adverse impact that illegal bonfires have on an area and to remind them of the dangers involved,” he concluded.
