Weed blight in Leitrim towns sparks concern over tourism

"Weeds are everywhere," in Drumshanbo, says Cllr McGloin

placeholder image — "Weeds are everywhere," in Drumshanbo, says Cllr McGloin

Cllr Enda McGloin asked Ballinamore M.D. if next year's budget for Tidy Towns can include electric equipment to assist in removing weeds in the area.

Blights of weeds in the Ballinamore Municipal District area has been described as “a problem that doesn’t receive enough attention.”

At October’s meeting of Ballinamore M.D., Cllr Enda McGloin asked if next year's budget for Tidy Towns can include electric equipment to assist in removing weeds in the area.

“A couple of years ago there was a ban on certain weed killers, which has caused problems in itself,” Cllr McGloin said.

“From my observations in Drumshanbo, these weeds are everywhere. If somebody potentially is proposing to invest or spend money in the town and they see all the weeds, it puts people off in terms of tourism and investment,” he added.

“In the absence of being able to use certain pesticides I’d be hoping for an initiative where we can talk to Tidy Towns about how best to deal with these weeds.”

Since the ban on certain weed killers, machines that use hot water to eliminate weeds are sometimes employed, but this method is less effective. Weeds typically reappear within three weeks of treatment.

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Cllr Barry and Cllr Prior supported the motion.

District engineer Darragh O’Boyle informed councillors that Tidy Towns will receive financial assistance for this matter.

“We will assist with Tidy Towns in any way possible, they do tremendous work for us and I can’t understate that,” Mr O’Boyle said.

Mr. O’Boyle informed Ballinamore M.D. that he would make every effort to supply Tidy Towns with any equipment they need, describing their work as an "invaluable service."

A reply from the Roads department stated: "The Municipal District Office will always assist the Tidy Towns community in providing necessary equipment to facilitate the vital role played by the committee.

“The local authority staff are currently dealing with the Knotweed issues arising throughout the county and we very much appreciate the community works carried out by the RSS and the Tidy Towns committees within the district."