Historic area threatened by litter

ONE of the most visited parts of historic Limerick is in danger of being turned into a litter lout paradise because of a lack of refuse bins, a local community activist said yesterday.

Sean O’Neill from Prospect said that he had conducted a survey of litter bin availability in the historic King’s Island area of Limerick and has been shocked by the findings.

“In an area that is touted internationally by agencies like Shannon Development as a major must see tourism attraction, there is a distinct lack of litter bins,” said Mr O’Neill. “In the stretch from the traffic lights at Mary Street to the entrance to King John’s Castle there is only one litter bin.

“In that same area there are two restaurants and takeaway establishments so the potential is there to turn what should be a showpiece tourism area into a litter lout’s paradise.

“For some time the powers that be in Shannon Development and Limerick City Council have been bragging about the vast numbers of tourists coming to see King John’s Castle, yet there is only one litter bin to cater for the hordes.

“The situation is akin to the old comic hall version of an Irish joke. But it is no laughing matter - the entire area risks being littered because of a lack of foresight.

“One has to ask what the local elected councillors are doing to combat the situation. Surely they cannot allow this potential litter disaster to go unheeded and unchallenged.

“As a matter of urgency, before the tourist season gets into full swing, the Limerick City Council must provide more litter bins in the vicinity of King Johns Castle.”