‘Robust policing plan’ in place ahead of Halloween
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THERE will be a “strong Garda presence” in Tallaght during Halloween, according to a spokesperson for An Garda Síochana.
Halloween night is one of the busiest nights of the year for the emergency services, and the proliferation of bonfires in the area on Halloween night, and the stockpiling of bonfire material ahead of the festivities, is of particular concern to people in the area.
In a bid to combat this, the gardai have said they will have a “robust policing plan” in place for Halloween, and they are also asking residents not to stockpile fuel for the bonfires or leave rubbish out that could be used as bonfire material.
South Dublin County Council’s public realm section will be tasked with removing bonfire material in advance of Halloween and then cleaning up bonfire sites in November.
The council are being responsive to reports of stockpiled bonfire material in the area, stating that “all available resources will be deployed to the preventative collections of bonfire materials prior to this Halloween, and crews will be assigned to this task as necessary during normal working hours but also at weekends in the run up to October 31 itself.”
Last October, South Dublin County Council recorded 388 bonfires in the county, and from mid-October through to Halloween the council was notified of approximately 300 locations where stockpiling for bonfires was occurring.
The council has plans to map and survey bonfire sites again this Halloween.
The local authority spent €87,000 cleaning damage caused by bonfires last Halloween.
In a bid to combat the issue of illegal bonfires, the council started a Bulbs not Bonfires project last year, where communities that organise pro-environmental and non-bonfire orientated activities will be rewarded with daffodil bulbs for the spring.
Anyone can report the illegal stockpiling of bonfire material by contacting the council on 01 414 9000.
