Cork County Council rules out temporary beach barbecue ban during hot weather

Councillors sought temporary restrictions on barbecues and open fires after a gorse blaze threatened homes near Camden Fort Meagher

Cork council rejects temporary beach barbecue ban despite councillors’ fire concerns. Picture: iStock

A senior Cork County Council official has ruled out introducing temporary bylaws to ban barbecues and campfires at beaches, parks and other local authority amenity areas during hot weather.

The news caught a number of councillors by surprise, particularly when the official added that the local authority could mount a public safety campaign on social media to remind people of the potential dangers of letting recreational fires get out of control.