Locals react angrily to sand dune removal

PEOPLE who recently removed sand from a dune area, in Ballyheigue, could yet face proceedings from Kerry County Council, it emerged yesterday.

The council confirmed it is having discussions with the Department of Marine and Natural Resources and may be taking enforcement action against those involved.

The land in question is privately-owned and does not have any special preservation status.

Residents of the popular seaside resort of Ballyheigue reacted angrily following the removal of a huge amount of sand from dunes close to the local GAA grounds.

A lorry and three tractors spent a full Saturday and about three hours on the following Sunday morning drawing away sand.

Efforts by concerned local people to contact the council during the weekend failed.

“These people know when to strike at weekends when council offices are closed,” said one angry local.

The area from which the sand was extracted was later landfilled with earth.

Kerry County Council, which is faced with serious coastal erosion, has been trying to stamp out sand removal for many years.

A number of serious road collapses have occurred in the county and land in coastal areas is also disappearing year by year.

The most recent landslide happened last month on the scenic Slea Head route, in the Dingle Peninsula, where thousands of tonnes of soil and stones tumbled into the sea. A new section of roadway, costing €1m, must now be built there.

However, with only €5m available nationally to deal with erosion the council simply doesn’t have the money to tackle problems.

North Kerry Sinn Féin councillor Robert Beasley said the €5m could be spent in Ballybunion alone.

“I would also call on people to stop drawing sand from beaches. When sand is taken away, the coast is weakened more and more. I know of areas where many acres have been lost to the sea,” he said.

A number of acres were washed away at Kilmore Strand, near Ballyduff, earlier this year, he added.

Ballybunion Golf Club and several other famous clubs in Kerry are engaged in an ongoing battle to protect their links from erosion.

Meanwhile, Kerry County Council will shortly be reviewing its beach bylaws, which also cover dune areas.