LOCAL authorities are on high alert in the run up to Halloween with both Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council asking locals to stay safe.
Dublin City Council workers have already collected more than 500 tonnes of materials destined for bonfires.
Last year they removed over 800 tonnes including over 1,000 tyres and hundreds of bags of domestic waste.
In 2012 Dublin City Council spent around e700,000 on Halloween, but this figure included the cost of staging a number of local festivals.
Fingal County Council estimates that it costs in the region of e160,000 to clean up the debris from bonfires.
A spokeswoman told Northside People:
?Each Halloween, hundreds of bonfires are started on public open spaces throughout Fingal county.
“Bonfires are illegal, dangerous, and account for an unacceptably high cost to the council in the clear up and safe disposal of burned goods.
“At a time of reduced staff and financial resources is it vital that members of the public and local communities work with the council to ensure that illegal bonfires do not occur on public open spaces.
“Cleaning up debris from bonfires costs the council in the region of e160,000 each year, and may require specialist staff to remove dangerous items such as gas cylinders, white goods or burned furniture and upholstery materials.
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The spokeswoman addÂed:
“It can also take up to 18 months for damaged ground, pitches or plants to fully recover.
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Last week Dublin Lord Mayor, OisÃn Quinn launÂched Dublin Fire Brigade’s
‘Be Safe – Stay Safe’ – Halloween Safety Campaign at St Brigid’s Senior Girls National School in Finglas.
This campaign is run in conjunction with Dublin Bus, An Garda Siochána and the DSPCA and it informs children and young people about the dangers of illegal bonfires and fireworks.
“Bonfires and fireworks at Halloween are extremely dangerous and can cause a lot of injuries and damage,
? the Lord Mayor said.
“All bonfires are illegal and our message is: do not go to them and if you are aware of any material being stockpiled please report it to us in confidence.
“Since 2009 the number of calls Dublin Fire Brigade receives has reduced by more than a quarter on Halloween Night.
“The council’s coordinated Halloween Response means that people have the opportunity to enjoy Halloween safely at one of the many Halloween Festivals we organise with local communities.
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Dublin City Council is asking locals to assist them by reporting any issues regarding the storage or distribution of bonfire material to their Litter Hotline on 1800-251500 (office hours) or online at www.dublincity247.ie.
Fingal County Council residents living in the Castleknock and Mulhuddart area can call 01-8704599 or email custservices@fingalcoco.ie if they witness bonfires being built or materials being stockpiled.