Rubbish, unnecessary signs and abandoned boats to be tidied up in one Clare location

LOCAL councillors are calling on Clare Clare County Council to deal with illegal dumping, abandoned boats and non-applicable signs to be removed at a popular Clare spot.

Mountshannon Harbour is popular among locals and tourists to view and enjoy. The issues of "unsightly and abandoned boats", the 'do not feed the swans signs' which are no longer required and illegal dumping at the bottle banks in the area has been called into question at the latest Killaloe Municipal District (MD) meeting.

Declan Flanagan, senior executive engineer with Clare County Council said: "Killaloe MD will continue to work with Waterways Ireland, local stakeholders and local representatives in obtaining information on the existing boats at Mountshannon Harbour.

"We have been advised that there is one vessel that needs repair, and we have been in contact with the owner who has stated repair works will be carried out this spring. The remaining vessels on site were inspected on January 15 and appear in good order. We have noted some of the vessels are registered with Waterways Ireland." 

With regard to the swans signage at the Blue Flag Beach in Mountshannon, Mr Flanagan said that these signs were originally erected in response to "issues arising from members of the public feeding swans" which had a "negative effect on the bathing waters". These signs have now been removed. 

While a "few incidents of dumping" were noted in the area, the council has said that they have use social media to advise the public that if a bottle bank is full, to use an alternative location.

"However, we do note that dumping persists," Mr Flanagan said.

"The Environment Section are keeping the issue under constant review. In addition, the Environment Section will carry out the routine inspections at the bottle banks. The last inspection on January 11 said that no illegal dumping was found."