Tipperary council 'vigilant' of popular Halloween bonfire area

Tipperary County Council has described the recent incident of fire damage on land by the Blueway as “regrettable.”

Last week, a group of young people broke into the private land and set several pallets and other waste materials alight.

It happened in Carrick-on-Suir, on land opposite the Lidl in the town.

In a post in the Facebook group ‘Out and about in Carrick-on-Suir,’ it was outlined that “youngsters” enter the land with rubbish and burn it.

“Why is that when we try to create something good and picturesque in the town that it is destroyed, vandalised and wrecked ?” said the owner of the land.

“This isn’t an isolated incident,” he continued.

“Last September we took ownership of land opposite Lidl with a view to cleaning it up as it is right alongside the Blueway.

“The Blueway is one of the main tourist attractions in the town and as such, we have a responsibility to maintain and enhance its reputation either side of the footpath.”

He went on to explain how the same thing happeneded last year after they had reseeded it, making the field “useless to us for the remainder of the year”.

“I get that they are getting reared up for Bonfires and Halloween but not on these lands. This land is private property. I even put a sign on the gate stating that.”

The sign was subsequently ripped off and set alight.

The Council said they were monitoring in the area in the run-up to Halloween.

“While incidents such as the one highlighted in the post are regrettable, Tipperary County Council continues to implement and enforce the relevant litter control and waste management legislation in the interests of environmental protection.

“However, it should be noted that the existence and enforcement of this legislation cannot guarantee that activities of this nature will not occur,” a statement issued by the local authority states.

“In response to a report of illegal dumping, Enforcement Officers from Tipperary County Council inspected the land in question on Friday, 25th September.

“The site was assessed from both a litter control and waste management perspective. In consultation with the landowner, the land was subsequently cleaned.

“It should be noted that the land concerned is privately owned. Over the past month, we have dealt with issues involving the accumulation of bulky waste stockpiled behind Lidl, adjacent to a residential estate,” it continues.

With Halloween fast approaching, the landowner has warned that bonfires are not welcome on his property.

“We would gracefully ask the public to keep an eye on the lands, stop your children damaging private property and please report activity to me or the Gardai that you know isn't right,” the owner said in a Facebook post.

The Council highlighted that the field has “historically been the location of an annual bonfire.”

“Last year, the landowner was directed to secure the site and restrict access to the field, and these measures were subsequently implemented.

“As we approach the Halloween period, Enforcement Officers will continue to monitor the area closely and will remain particularly vigilant in respect of any further unauthorised activities,” it said.

An Garda Síochàna has also been contacted for comment.