Residents in Cabra, Phibsborough and Glasnevin are at their wits’ end over the illegal dumping of black bags containing horse manure, according to a local councillor.
Bags of manure have been turning up in local parks, laneways and even residential green spaces, sometimes just hours after Dublin City Council clean-ups.
“I’ve been a councillor for over seven years and, as a Cabra man born and bred, I’ve honestly never seen anything quite like this,” said Cllr Colm O’Rourke (FG).
“My phone has been hopping with complaints from residents who are absolutely furious.”
Reports of bags of horse manure have increased over the past year, with many councillors saying the problem has been exacerbated since the closure of a Council horse manure disposal service at Sweeney’s Terrace in Dublin 8, believed to be due to health and safety concerns.
Many responsible horse owners who used the service have made arrangements with allotment owners or farmers to take the manure for compost. However, the illegal dumping of bags of manure has become a significant issue across the city.
Cllr O’Rourke says bags are being dumped on a regular basis by the Royal Canal at Ratoath Road, John Paul II Park, Ballyboggan Road and other locations across the Northside.
“It’s like Groundhog Day, except instead of waking up to the same day, residents are waking up to another pile of horse manure,” he said.
“In fairness to Dublin City Council’s Waste Management crews, they’ve been brilliant. I’ve been following up on complaints and they’ve repeatedly come out to clear the bags. But no sooner is one load removed than another appears.
“We can’t keep shovelling up the same old crap week after week. We need to find out who’s responsible and put a stop to it.”
Fine Gael councillor Colm O’Rourke
Cllr O’Rourke is demanding a crackdown on the dumping and is calling for incidents to be investigated together, rather than treated as isolated dumping complaints.
“I want to see a proper investigation into whether these incidents are connected, and if those responsible can be identified, they should face the appropriate consequences,” he said.
“Our parks and green spaces are for families, children, dog walkers and the wider community. They’re not somebody’s personal dumping ground.”
Under current litter laws, anyone convicted of illegal dumping can face a fine of up to €3,000, while the council can also issue on-the-spot fines of €150.
Last week, Southside People reported on the Local Government (Control of Horse-Drawn Carriages) Bill 2026, introduced by Sinn Féin TDs Máire Devine and Mark Ward.
The Bill would enable Dublin City Council to introduce modern by-laws covering the licensing, insurance and safety of horse-drawn carriages and horses, including arrangements for the responsible disposal of manure.
The Sinn Féin TDs say it would replace legislation that dates back to 1853 and which pertains only to Dublin horse carriages.