Waterford beach car park targeted with discarded faeces-filled toilet paper, condoms and underwear 

Severe littering and antisocial behaviour at Ballinard Beach car park, near Ballinacourty Lighthouse, in Co Waterford was the topic of discussion at a recent meeting of Dungarvan and Lismore councillors.

Cllr Thomas Phelan raised the issue, saying that he has witnessed worrying levels of littering at the site: “On Saturday night, and not for the first time, Ballinard car park near Ballinacourty Lighthouse was party central for some campers, who have no respect for the idea of leaving no trace behind.

"The rubbish included the usual food wrappers, coffee cups, beer bottles, broken glass, nappies, discarded underwear, condoms, sanitary products and toilet paper with faeces, which was thrown in ditches and also on the beach.” 

Cllr Phelan said that up to five bike stands have been ripped from the ground at the site.

He previously suggested adding bins to the car park to mitigate the issues, however, was told by Council staff that bins in such areas risk being exploited by people who will use them to discard of domestic waste.

Responding to this, Gabriel Hynes, Senior Engineer at Waterford City and County Council, said that he is not in favour of adding bins to the car park, but that the ongoing antisocial behaviour at the site in unacceptable.

“It's something that’s difficult to tackle. We need to encourage people when they use our beaches and car parks to leave it as they find it."