'It is an absolute disgrace': Dog fouling a 'massive issue' on Cork greenway

3rd February 2025; Brian and Lydia Lawton and their children Fionn and Indie from Castlemartyr out enjoying the Greenway between Mideton and Youghal at Mogeely on February bank holiday Monday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A senior county council official has asked people to report rogue pet owners who don’t clean after their animals as dog fouling is blighting the very popular Midleton to Youghal Greenway.

However, on a positive note, the council is planning to install permanent toilets for users along parts of the route and it’s hoped the local authority will purchase a VeloPlus wheelchair bike which will make the greenway experience more inclusive for people with disabilities.

“We have a big problem with dog fouling on it. It is an absolute disgrace that people feel it is OK to walk away and leave it there,” Independent councillor Mary Linehan-Foley told a meeting of the East Cork Municipal District Council.

Independent councillor John Buckley and Fianna Fáil councillor Ann Marie Ahern also said it is becoming “a massive issue”.

The former, a member of a Tidy Towns group, said such volunteers are overstretched and can’t address such issues, while the latter said the council should at least install two dog fouling bins at entrance/exit sites on the greenway.

Ms Linehan-Foley said even during the current cold and wet weather the greenway is being extremely well used and when the weather improves it will be “a major gamechanger” as more visitors flock in and benefit the local economy.

Patricia Liddy, the senior council official in charge of the East Cork region, urged those using the greenway to report dog owners who don’t pick up their pet’s faeces to the local authority so their wardens can pursue cases.

Permanent toilets

Ms Linehan-Foley then asked that litter bins and permanent toilets be installed along the route.

There is currently one portable toilet on the greenway. Officials said plans are in train to install permanent toilets and they are looking at how many might be needed and where best to position them.

However, they made no firm commitments on installing litter bins as it’s council policy to reduce them so people take their own litter home to dispose of it.

Ms Ahern then asked that the municipal council purchase a VeloPlus wheelchair bike, or something of similar make, to enable those with disabilities to enjoy the greenway.

“It would be a fabulous addition and maybe we could store it in the [Midleton] railway station,” she said.

All councillors backed her. Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Mulcahy said the Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown council have them and they are a great asset.

Municipal district officer Susan Hegarty said council officials fully agreed with the merit of having them. She added that the council will ask the Disability Federation of Ireland to help with the project, look at how it would be funded, and report back to councillors.

Meanwhile, Ms Hegarty added that groups and organisations wishing to hold events on the Midleton to Youghal Greenway should contact [e-mail] for further information on eligibility/criteria, etc.