Council urged to 'come down heavy' on property owners with Japanese Knotweed problem

A Carrick-on-Suir councillor has appealed to Tipperary County Council to “come down heavy” on the owners of land where Japanese Knotweed is spreading.

Cllr David Dunne complained about the proliferation of the invasive plant species in his hometown at Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District’s monthly meeting.

The Sinn Féin councillor asked what the Council was doing in terms of issuing enforcement orders to compel private landowners to get rid of the weed on their properties.

“We need to come down heavy on this. The longer it’s there, the worse it gets,” he declared.

District Engineer Denis Power said he would talk to the Council’s Environment Section about getting notifications out to private property owners in relation to dealing with Japanese Knotweed.

He acknowledged the growth of Japanese Knotweed this summer seemed to have “kicked off more than last year”.