Dumping in the Killarney National Park has reached "epidemic proportions" and is spoiling world famous beauty spots, officials and residents' groups claimed yesterday.
Furniture, fridges and bags of old clothes have been recovered by wildlife rangers in the 25,000-acre national park in recent weeks. The bulk of the rubbish found at Torc Waterfall, the entrance to Dinis and at viewing points is domestic rubbish brought to the park instead of being left for roadside collection.
Mr Michael Courtney, town councillor and chairman of Cork Kerry Tourism, has dismissed suggestions that high refuse charges are responsible for the escalation in dumping. "Some people will not pay for anything," he said.
A €350 annual charge is being proposed for rural householders; in Killarney, the annual charge for separated waste collections is €240. Mr Courtney appealed to the public to report the car numbers of those seen depositing rubbish. The dumping at beauty spots threatened tourism, he warned.
Litter was the first thing tourists spotted when they came to what should be a pristine area, he said. "Everyone in Kerry benefits from tourism and this cannot be allowed to continue," he added.
Wildlife rangers had better things to do than "clean up people's rubbish", said Mr Pat Foley, district conservation officer with Dúchas, the heritage organisation.
Ten large plastic refuse sacks of household rubbish were found in the Mangerton area yesterday. Foxes tear the bags and the refuse is then scattered.
Dumping had reached epidemic proportions in forested areas recently, said Mr Frank Lewis, chairman of the Muckross Community Organisation. He said dumping of smaller items such as take-away cartons and beer bottles had also increased in scenic areas.