Dodder Valley Litter Mugs clear 30 bags from river
By Mary Dennehy
DRINKING dens, fire damage and two large water-logged couches were among a number of threats to local wildlife discovered by a group of volunteers cleaning Dodder Valley Park.
The Dodder Valley Litter Mugs were out again on Saturday (July 13), and removed 30 bags of rubbish from the stretch of Dodder as it flows through the park, from the bridge at Old Bawn to Seskin View.
The volunteers removed 30 bags of rubbish
The group of volunteers, which was established earlier this year, hauled 30 bags of rubbish from the Dodder and its banks, alongside electronic bits, motorbike parts, a mattress, fishing wires and drug bags.
According to volunteer Christine Barretto, who living in Kiltipper is a Climate Ambassador with An Taisce, there was also drinking debris littered all the way along the river.
Christine, who stressed how “dismayed” volunteers were to see how much waste was in the river, told The Echo that most of the litter and debris was removed due to the danger it poses to wildlife.
“We also found that fires are a popular pastime along the Dodder’s drink dens with fire-damaged trees spotted all over,” Christine said.
On the day, a lot of heavy lifting was done by volunteers as they dragged and pulled waste to the South Dublin County Council collection point.
The Dodder River before and after the clean-up
Independent councillor Alan Edge also donned his waders to help remove plastic from the deeper waters.
According to Christine, the group has made requests with South Dublin County Council, who collected the waste on Saturday, for new benches and bins in the park.
“Some of the benches are totally unsuitable for purpose with nails protruding and bits missing or burnt,” Christine said.
“The positives are that the council’s decision to allow the grasses to grow and to delay mowing has positively impacted on biodiversity.
“There is an amazing array of wildflowers and grasses and a noticeable increase in bees, butterflies and insects.”
The group hopes to hold another clean-up in August.
New volunteers always welcome – for further details follow the Dodder Valley Litter Mugs on Facebook and Twitter.
