6,000 litter louts fined last year

More than 6,000 litter louts received on the spot fines from wardens in Dublin last year.

On top of this, over 230 people who didn't pay their fines were successfully prosecuted in court.

City Council Officials have also confirmed that the Tolka River and Tolka Estuary are so polluted, there are no visible signs of life present.

Sediment samples taken from the Tolka Estuary show very high levels of heavy metals and organic matter.

Scientific experts now admit it will take years before fish life can be restored to the river and survive in the estuary.