Businessman ‘disgusted’ over illegal dumping near Limerick graveyard

AN ASKEATON businessman has appealed to litter-louts to stop dumping their rubbish near the local graveyard.

Joe Whelan, vice-chairman of the town's community council, conducted a clean-up of the roadside between Askeaton and Foynes just after Christmas.

He said he was “disgusted” to find empty glass bottles, used petrol drums and traffic bollards left on the N69, adjacent to Reilig Mhuire cemetery.

He also admits he is surprised, given much of the litter can be deposited for free in Askeaton’s bottle banks.

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“I’d be disgusted if anyone would stop their car and dump it there. You don’t get there without your own transport. Why wouldn’t they just drive into the recycling bank in Askeaton and put their litter there? It’s hard to figure out at times what goes on in people’s minds,” said Mr Whelan, who runs a bed-and-breakfast business.

Every Sunday, Askeaton Community Council organises a clean-up of the town itself.

It’s named the Mary Macro pick in memory of a local community activist who is sadly no longer with us.

She was well-known for joining her husband on the traditional day of rest to give their town the once-over.

It’s off the back of this that Mr Whelan took it upon himself to clean-up the roads around Askeaton every new year.

He urged people to think again before dumping.

“It’s very unsightly for people driving the main road out of Askeaton to see this litter. There’s no need for it. There is other stuff there that I picked up that, with the wind, could be dangerous. A five-gallon drum or a traffic bollards. If these were left on the road in the dark, they could do a lot of damage,” he warned.

Mr Whelen went out with a trailer to collect the trash which included empty glass bottles of vodka, whisky and gin.

He separated it and dispensed the bottles into the bottle bank.

As for the remainder of the items, he contacted Limerick City and County Council, which sent an agent to collect them from his front door.