Thorny plants not an option to protect West Waterford monument from illegal dumpers
Cllr Joe O'Riordan said there was an incident recently where mattresses were dumped at Gallowshill. Stock Image.
Thorny bushes will not be an option in the efforts to combat illegal dumping at Gallowshill, Dungarvan-Lismore District Council has been told.
At the June sitting of the district council, Senior Executive Officer in the Environment Section, Dawn Wallace, said the council wanted to use thorny shrubs like pyracantha to deter dumpers.
However, at the July sitting, Ms Wallace told elected members that she met with conservationists from the County Museum and they are not in favour of preventative planting.
“There are plans to do further archaeological works in that area, and this might prevent that.
“So we are still waiting for an archaeological impact assessment from the archaeologist we deal with from the department, but at the moment that doesn’t appear to be one of our options,” said Ms Wallace.
Ms Wallace was responding to concerns raised by Councillors Joe O’Riordan and Kate O’Mahoney about the ongoing issue at the national monument.
Cllr O’Riordan said there was a recent incident of mattresses dumped at Gallowshill.
“Absolutely unacceptable and totally unfair on our council workers dealing with this sort of disgraceful behaviour,” said Cllr O’Riordan.
Cllr O’Mahoney said she wanted to reiterate her colleague's point.
“It’s a real eyesore and we need something to be done sooner rather than later,” said Cllr O’Mahoney.
