LOCAL Authorities are urging members of the public to report incidences of bonfire material being stockpiled in the run up to Halloween.
Last year alone Dublin City Council removed 600 tonnes of bonfire materials ahead of celebrations.
Simon Brock of the city council’s waste management services said the removal of this material prevented the risk of serious injury to youngsters and damage caused by bonfires to the environment, parks, green spaces and property in the city.
“We need the public’s help to do this and we are calling on people to report stockpiling of bonfire material to us as soon as possible so we can remove it safely,” said Mr Brock.
“We have received great assistance from the public in recent years and we are calling on people to assist us again in 2019.”
Dublin City Council acknowledged the “excellent” cooperation received from An Garda Síochána which it said is essential to the success of these operations to keep everyone safe this Halloween.
Fingal County Council is also seeking support from the public over the next few weeks.
The council said it will be removing bonfire material across the county between now and October 31 as part of its drive to promote a safe Halloween that all the community can enjoy.
Director of Services at Fingal County Council, David Storey, has urged members of the public to report stockpiling of bonfire material as soon as possible so that the Local Authority can remove the material and avoid the risk of serious injury, damage to property and the environment over the Halloween period.
Any reports of bonfire stockpiled materials in Fingal can be made directly to the Operational areas on their designated telephone number or reported through to Customer Care on 01-8905000 during office hours.
Members of the public can call Dublin City Council’s Customer Services Centre on 01-222 2222 or after hours at 1800 293949 to report the stockpiling of bonfire material, or visit www.dublincity247.ie
Separately, during oral Parliamentary Questions with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, Dublin Bay North TD Tommy Broughan (Ind) raised the matter of the “increased anxiety” of constituents in some areas in the lead up to Halloween.
“In the past, the festival has been used as an excuse for anti-social behaviour and the creation of general mayhem on estates,” Deputy Broughan told the Minister.
“There have also been increased instances of anti-social behaviour on commuter rail lines.”
Minister Flanagan said: “With specific reference to the forthcoming Halloween period, I am advised that gardaí will put measures in place in every division, in particular in the Dublin metropolitan region and Border divisions, to prevent and detect the organised importation and sale of fireworks.
“This work will be carried out through a specifically designed operation, namely, Operation Tombola.
“The operation focuses also on preventing associated public disorder and anti-social behaviour through the incremental deployment of resources, including the Garda public order unit, to augment local plans as appropriate.
“A number of strong legislative provisions are available to gardaí to combat anti-social behaviour.”
Minister Flanagan said: “Another issue that has previously been raised with me by the Deputy is the need to tackle anti-social behaviour on our rail network.
“In that regard, I acknowledge the establishment of Operation Twintrack, which sees An Garda Síochána involvement in a new community engagement and rail safety initiative.
“It involves gardaí travelling on DART, Luas and commuter rail services in the greater Dublin area, in particular in Deputy Broughan’s constituency, to ensure there is a Garda presence at major and busy train stations from time to time.”
In response, Deputy Broughan added: “I am grateful for Operation Tombola and indeed, Operation Twintrack, as well of course, for the work of An Garda Síochána, Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council and, indeed, all of the local community groups and volunteers who work so hard at this period to make the festival of Halloween safe and enjoyable.”