Basement junk: Fresh crackdown launched in Limerick over littering

LIMERICK City and County Council has launched a crackdown on litter in basements.

The local authority has written to a number of property owners and tenants ordering them to remove all litter from their basements and keep them litter free.

The orders come under section nine of the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009, and it followed inspections of various basements by council staff.

A council spokesperson says the inspections and orders “are an important part of maintaining a clean, attractive and welcoming environment”.

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“The council reminds all private property owners that they have a legal responsibility to keep their premises, including any external areas, clean and free from litter.

“Outdoor basement areas, in particular, have been highlighted in IBAL Anti-Litter League reports as locations that can quickly accumulate windblown litter and create persistent problems if not properly maintained,” they said.

The action, council outlined, comes as part of a wider approach to improving Limerick’s overall streetscape and public realm.

This, they added, helps in “ensuring Limerick presents its best appearance for residents, businesses and visitors.”

As referenced by the local authority, inspectors from An Taisce, appointed by the Irish Business Against Litter group have, in their twice-yearly reports, marked Limerick down for the prevalence of litter in basements across the city centre.

In one written report, Cecil Street and Ellen Street were singled out.

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Basements, the inspectors have pointed out, often contain so-called ‘long-lie items, food-related litter and, in some cases, builders’ rubble as well as dumped household waste.

It’s hard for the council to tackle these basements because they are largely in private ownership.

In 2017, Limerick City Tidy Towns volunteers even called for property owners to grant them access to basements so they could carry out clean-ups.