Rubbish being burnt on greenfield site for 20 years

AN AVONBEG resident has expressed their annoyance at repeated instances of rubbish being dumped and burned on Avonbeg Field, a greenfield site to the rear of Dominic’s shops in Tallaght.

The resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said the issue has persisted since they moved in 20 years ago and they have contacted South Dublin County Council and gardaí to no avail.

“Since I moved in about 20 years ago, there are some people that have been burning their rubbish on a greenspace at the back of Dominic’s,” they told The Echo.

“It’s been going for years and years, and apart from making a mess of the place, you get that distinct smell of poisonous fumes as the rubbish is being burned.

“I was up there recently, and what happened is, after Halloween the council cleaned it, but people have started dumping again.

“I think the litter problem in Tallaght is absolutely disgraceful, it’s so bad that people throw their rubbish on the ground – and it’s everyone doing it, young and old.

“But when they start to burn their rubbish on a public space, they’re putting poisonous fumes in the air, and it must be unhealthy.”

The area around Avonbeg Field which has had rubbish burned

The resident said they often rush to get into their house in the evening to get away from the strong smell of burning and that their windows can’t be opened when the fire is burning.

“I’m annoyed by it, and I’m tired that I’ve raised this a few times now and nobody seems to care, and that’s a shame,” they said.

“The ideal outcome would be that the culprits are found, warned, fined and prosecuted for what they’re doing, and ultimately that would stop them.

“They’re lighting fires in a built-up area where kids play . . . you know at Halloween when bonfires are lit on greens, they have that black scar on the ground? That’s just constantly there.”

The Echo contacted South Dublin County Council for comment, but a response wasn’t received at the time of print.