Blue flags lost after camp mess at beach

TWO of Munster’s best beaches lost their Blue Flag status temporarily yesterday after a fleet of Travellers set up camp and littered the area.

Suites of furniture and bags of rubbish were strewn around the car parks of neighbouring Garrettstown and Garylucas beaches after more than 30 Travellers’ caravans moved in.

An Taisce instructed Cork County Council to remove the Blue Flags from both beaches, following a complaint from a member of the public. Illegal caravan camping is not permitted at Blue Flag beaches.

Locals said over 30 caravans, most with British registration plates, arrived in the area on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for Garrettstown Development Association, which organises regular beach clean-ups, said the area was strewn with litter within hours.

“It was a disgrace. There was rubbish all over the place. Some of them were shouting abuse at passers-by, urinating in the car parks, and intimating people visiting the beach,” said the spokesperson, who asked not to be named.

County council workers yesterday were involved in a major clean-up operation.

Cork County Council said it hoped to have both Blue Flags back in place by this morning.

Locals also praised gardaí for their swift action.

Most of the caravans had left late on Wednesday night. About 10 caravans remained yesterday but were hitched up, ready to move on.

Dave McCarthy, from the Traveller Visibility Group (TVG) said he expected everyone to respect the environment.

“Anyone who litters like this, members of the settled community or Travellers alike, deserve to be prosecuted,” he said. “We have no role defending anyone who breaks the law.”

But he said one could find litter on beaches all over West Cork.

“I’ve seen picnic litter at Inchydoney, and Owenahincha is often littered with horse dung. That would surely affect a beach’s Blue Flag status as well.

“There is a lot of irresponsible behaviour across the board,” he said.

He also criticised certain caravan park owners for not accepting bookings from Traveller families.

“I know of one Traveller family taking a case against a caravan site owner in Co Kerry to the Equality Authority.

“The family were horrified that despite the fact their booking was accepted, it was turned down when the owner discovered the family were members of the Travelling community.”