A North Clare Councillor claims reckless personal behaviour is blighting the county’s most prominent landmarks.
It comes as the latest IBAL Survey has found that the level of litter discarded at Doolin Pier and Lahinch beach has substantially increased in the last year.
There’s disappointment countywide today for Clare’s coastal communities as all three sites surveyed in the latest Irish Business Against Litter League dropped their positions from last year.
Mountshannon Pier was found to be clean to European Norms in 2022, although this time round the East Clare amenity was downgraded to ‘moderately littered’.
The pier narrowly missed out on the top grade this year due to the presence of many food and alcohol items strewn about.
However the issues of waste disposal were most acutely felt in Lahinch and Doolin Pier with both now designated as littered sites.
In the case of Doolin Pier, the An Taisce inspectors noted that there seemed to be a lack of notices in place to deter the illicit behaviour.
Subsequently a wide array of food waste such as pizza boxes, plastic bottles and coffee cups were found discarded throughout the car park and stoney areas.
IBAL Spokesperson Conor Horgan says that the unnecessary rubbish poses a serious threat to local marine life.
In the case of Lahinch, the beach was described as generally fine, however a significant build up of waste in the rock armour of the promenade and the car park brought the grade down.
The report noted that levels of dog fouling, alcohol and mineral cans as well as fishing crates , lines and nets had become trapped in the rock armour.
While the remains of several fires on the grass area of the car park was also identified.
However a North Clare Councillor claims resources and personal accountability need to follow the success of Lahinch attracting increased footfall in recent years.
Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor, Joe Garrihy, says enforcement officers are urgently required before reckless behavior destroys our coastal environments.
You can listen to the full interview here:
Following a query from Clare FM, Clare County Council issued the following response
“Clare County Council has resources assigned full time 7 days per week to Doolin Pier and Lahinch to ensure public areas are kept litter free as much as possible. These resources work early mornings and late evenings to ensure these areas are maintained to high standards. Additional resources are also provided during peak periods during the summer months to ensure visitors to the areas have an enjoyable experience.
We appeal to visitors to all our amenity areas across County Clare including Lahinch, Doolin and Mountshannon to plan ahead for waste and always leave no trace.
Where there are bins available, we ask that people use them. If there are no bins or the bins are full, then we appeal to visitors to always keep Clare clean and take home your waste.”
