More than three tonnes of waste material was removed last week at this site ahead of Halloween.
Donegal County Council has warned people dumping waste materials at sites ahead of Halloween bonfires that they will be prosecuted.
The council has revealed it is monitoring a number of locations were waste materials have been supplied as bonfire material over the past number of years.
On Thursday last council staff investigated and removed three tonnes of waste from a location in the county.
Householders have used this area to illegally dump waste onto a green in an estate in preparation for bonfire night which is still over a week away.
It is an offence for householders or businesses to supply waste materials to parties collecting materials for ‘Bonfire Night’ and it is illegal to give waste to a person that does not have a waste collection permit.
Donegal County Council is currently undertaking an audit of certain businesses to ensure that there is compliance under the relevant legislation and to ensure that waste materials are not supplied for the practice of burning on bonfires.
Joseph McTaggart, Acting Chief Fire Officer with Donegal Fire Service is urging members of the public not to light bonfires.
“Bonfires are often built close to houses and other property and can cause serious damage and injuries particularly where the burning of highly combustible materials is taking place.
“It is also illegal to possess fireworks in Ireland that may have been legally purchased outside the Country. Illegal fireworks may not be manufactured to the appropriate safety standards and can ignite prematurely causing serious injury to the user or to others in the vicinity particularly children.
“Members of the public are asked not to buy, use or supply fireworks and parents are requested to monitor their children and make sure they do not play with fireworks including bangers. Every year children end up tragically injured and often scarred for life after using illegal fireworks,” he said.
Tips for a safe Holloween:
• Parents, businesses and householders should not provide any materials for bonfires.
• Do not leave material lying around that may be taken for use in a bonfire; many garage or garden shed items such as petrol, white spirits, diesel, aerosols, batteries, tins of paint, bottles and tyres are especially dangerous if set on fire.
• Do not facilitate illegal bonfires or firework displays on or near your home or property.
• Explain the dangers of illegal bonfires and fireworks to children and teenagers.
• Keep pets indoors on Halloween night – they are sensitive to noise.
• Respect the work of the Emergency Services, Council Staff and the Gardaí.
• Contact the Fire Service by calling 999 or 112 if you see a bonfire being lit close to buildings, trees, overhead cables, underground services or car parking areas.
Tags:
