Local Independent Councillor, Michael O’Brien, has called for the provision of dog waste bins along the Old Rail Trail.
Tabling a motion at the February meeting of Athlone Municipal District, Cllr. O’Brien noted that dog fouling was prevalent along the greenway and a solution was fast needed for this problematic issue.
“It is great to see that there are a growing number of people using the greenway, but unfortunately the level of dog fouling is fast becoming a major issue. Constituents are approaching me on a regular basis and expressing their annoyance in this regard.
“I have raised this issue on numerous occasions previously and while some measures have been taken by the Council, the message is just not registering with a small number of dog owners who think it’s alright not to pick up after their dog. It’s disgusting,” Cllr. O’Brien remarked.
Calling for the addition of waste bins along the Old Rail Trail, the Independent Councillor noted that extra funding was due to be allocated by the local authority to deal with this issue.
“I think that the provision of dog waste bins along the greenway would help, as it would remind walkers that the bins are there for their dog’s waste and hopefully they would use them.
“I do not agree with the council executives’ assertion that there would be a considerable cost in rolling out such bins. If we were to locate a bin at the access points to the greenway it would not cost very much at all and the council outdoor staff could empty them when they are in the respective towns and villages along the route. This is an ongoing problem that council members continue to raise and it is about time the local authority took some real measures to deal with it,” Cllr. O’Brien concluded.
