'Mattresses, cans, rubbish and all kinds of household waste are being dumped here...'

Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne and Sinn Féin representative for Clonmel Dean McGrath said that action must be taken to address the dumping of household waste at almost industrial levels at Knocklofty Estate.

Speaking on the matter, Deputy Browne said: “Knocklofty Estate should be treated with the respect that an area with such a wealth of heritage and beauty deserves.

“But unfortunately, there are some people who show little or no regard for a place of such local significance.

“Mattresses, cans, rubbish and all kinds of household waste are being dumped here.  The sheer level is astounding.

“This level of dumping and the frequency with which it is occurring indicates that there are some people who are visiting the estate with no other purpose than to use it as a dumping ground.

“Indeed the level of dumping and the type of items that are present suggests that trailer loads of waste are being transported here.

“I have contacted Tipperary County Council about this unprecedented level of dumping and to contact those responsible for the estate.

“I have also requested that Tipperary County Council carry out a public campaign to warn anyone who may be thinking of continuing to use this location for the purposes of dumping to reconsider their plans, and to urge anybody with information to contact the council.

“I have also requested that the area be monitored, if possible.

Dean McGrath said: “The location of the dumping, which is primarily near the driveway also indicates that the dumping is being carried out by people who have no connection with the estate nor love for it.  Instead they are opportunists who enter, dump their rubbish and quickly leave.

“It is obvious that they have no connection with the area, otherwise, why would they treat it as nothing but a dumping ground.

“This is not just unsightly; it also poses a health and environmental hazard.

Teachta Browne concluded: “Locals have a particular connection with Knocklofty Estate.  To see what is happening is galling for them.  We need to see a common approach taken by the owner of the estate and the local authority to clear up the rubbish and to take the measures needed to prevent this mistreatment of the environment from continuing.”