Council grass-cutting crew cut through 10 rubbish bags

By Mary Dennehy

THE local authority has been left to pick up the pieces of a council crew’s “ridiculously lazy” work, which saw crew members cut through ten bags of household waste when tasked with cutting grass – and leaving the shredded rubbish behind.

The scenic Old Court Road and Gunny Hill area of Tallaght is a hot spot for illegal dumpers, with ten bags of household waste dumped on a grass verge in the area in recent weeks.

Residents told The Echo that they reported the rubbish to South Dublin County Council and were happy to see council crews arrive in the area last Thursday, Aug 4.

However, residents were left shocked when council workers started to cut the grass verge without removing the bags of rubbish – cutting straight through the bags and leaving the area strewn with shredded waste.

One resident told The Echo: “We couldn’t believe it.

“The council workers didn’t even bother moving the bags to the side, they simply mowed through the bags and the area is now covered in cut up rubbish.

“These bags were reported to the council and should have been removed, but not to remove them before cutting the grass is insane and ridiculously lazy.”

When contacted by The Echo, South Dublin County Council confirmed that a report was received on August 3 concerning 10 black bags of rubbish dumped on a section of the Old Court Road.

Mary Maguire, a senior executive officer with the council, said: “It is our usual practice to undertake a litter pick in advance of grass cutting, and cannot offer an explanation why this did not take place last Thursday.

“The situation that occurred is regretted and I can advise that a crew has been assigned to this location today [Tuesday, August 9] to remedy the situation.”

She added: “I confirm that the council undertakes regular scheduled works in the Old Court Road and Gunny Hill area, which includes cyclical grass cutting and litter picking.

“Where there is an ongoing problem of illegal dumping in any area, local residents are urged to support the council in taking the appropriate enforcement action by making reports to the Litter Warden Service for investigation and by providing evidence, including testimony, where possible.”