Fall in number of abandoned vehicles reported to SDCC

South Dublin County Council recorded a reduction in the number of vehicles reported as abandoned in 2022 compared to the previous year.

According to the local authority, 374 vehicles were reported as abandoned in 2022 compared to 526 in 2021.

Ó Brádaigh said the measures implemented by the council in recent years are beginning to take effect.

“Whilst there is still an amount of work to do in order to further reduce the number of vehicles abandoned on our many streets, housing estates and car parks, the report indicating that this trend is moving in the right direction is a very welcome one,” Ó Brádaigh said.

“This is something I have pursued since being co-opted onto the council in December 2020.

“I asked the same question for the period Jan – Dec 2021 last year, and whilst attempting to raise awareness of the issue and encouraging SDCC to provide greater information to the public in terms of accessing automated treatment facilities (ATF’s) and the procedure in doing so.

“The number of vehicles at that time was 526 compared to a much-reduced figure of 374 for 2022, representing a decrease of almost 30 percent.

“I can only commend the local authority in working to better effect with others to address this, that has wider environmental implications also.”

Ó Brádaigh says that abandoned cars are often set on fire after being abandoned throughout communities in south west Dublin.

“Some of the problem relates to the relative ease at which cheap cars have been acquired to simply illegally ‘rally’ before often being set alight,” he says.

“The lands around Kishogue had begun to resemble something akin to a car graveyard.

“Separately, some cars are simply not being insured or taxed due to the pressures of a continuing and escalating cost of living crisis, which includes increased fuel, insurance and maintenance costs.

“In other circumstances, a percentage of vehicles simply reach their end of life and owners are not always clear on the correct procedure for disposal.

“The evidence from this comparison now suggests that there is real progress that can only be welcome.”

Last year, Ó Brádaigh said that not only do abandon vehicles “encroach public spaces,” they are “also a major environmental hazard and can attract anti-social behaviour.

“Over time and as they decay, car batteries, tyres, paint and other components release hazardous substances into the environment.

“Oils, coolants and other fluids are toxic and dangerous when spilled and can seep into and contaminate groundwater,” he says.

“It would seem to me that not enough effort is directed toward better public awareness by the Minister for the Environment into the end-of-life disposal procedure option available to motorists, wishing to be rid of an old vehicle.”