THE threat to refuse collection services for 60,000 south Dublin households was, lifted last night. Local residents, who had been blocking the entrance to the tiphead at Friarstown, Bohernabreena allowed refuse trucks through.
The tiphead, which was not used by the South Dublin County Council for dumping domestic refuse since 1993, was reopened after the closure of the Dunsink tiphead. However, local residents objected, arguing that it would cause environmental damage to a high amenity area.
"The residents have already suffered 26 years of dumping on the site, during which time a historic and scenic glen, with ornamental lakes and many thousands of trees, was transformed into a waste mountain," a spokesman said.
The council's senior administrative officer, Mr Gary Keogh, said the council had no option but to use Friarstown following the closure of Dunsink. Because of the delay in developing a proposed dump in Kill, Co Kildare, due to court action, the council's programme had been set back by about two years. "We expect Kill to be open in the middle of next year, so the use of Friarstown is only a temporary arrangement," he added.
The residents allowed 17 refuse trucks through after the terms of a High Court injunction, rest raining them from blocking the entrance, was read to them. A spokesman for the residents said they would meet today to decide what to do next.
Earlier yesterday, the council had issued a statement announcing the suspension of refuse collection in south Dublin due to "difficulties" gaining access to the tiphead.