Councillor Joanna Byrne says she was “shocked and disgusted” to see over 40 trollies, buggies, bikes, scooters, lawnmowers and other dangerous items retrieved from the river by the Boyne Fisherman’s Rescue on their most recent clean-up of the Boyne yesterday.
“People do simply not grasp the dangers of discarding trollies into the river” Cllr Byrne said. It’s all a bit of craic with your mates at the weekend until somebody requires the assistance of the Rescue services and their boats get damaged by these items or their divers are hampered in carrying out a rescue with stuff like this in their way.
“I lost my Dad to drowning in this very river so I know first-hand the importance of services like the Boyne Fisherman’s Rescue and the stupidity and reckless behaviour like this makes my blood boil.”
Whilst acknowledging the ongoing endeavours of local volunteers, Cllr Byrne is now appealing for this behaviour to stop.
“I have to commend the Boyne Fisherman’s Rescue for their diligence on this matter and their frequent clean ups of the river.
“I’ve asked Louth County Council’s litter warden to liaise with the group and collect the debris retrieved from the river and more importantly issue fines to any identifiable supermarket operators.
“… there is an onus on them to be accountable for their own property and recover these items off the streets before they make it to the river.
Councillor Byrne says the Council need to engage once again with all stakeholders, remind them of their responsibilities, and urge them to play their part in keeping the river trolley free.
“I have to appeal to anybody partaking in behaviour like this to stop. Be aware of the consequences of your actions and know that you are putting swimmers, divers and potential rescue equipment at risk, and therefore lives too. That is the bottom line of this.”
