Dublin City Council is being urged to begin clearing a massive illegal dump that has been in operation for 20 years.

Previous surface testing found asbestos-containing materials on the site between Moatview and Belcamp, while the local authority said in 2020 that urgent action was needed.

Despite this, work to clear the dump and build a wall around it are not expected to begin until later this year.

Sinn Féin councillor Larry O’Toole has claimed residents are being threatened and intimidated as well. 

“What we’re asking the council to do is to start at least taking away some of the stuff now to show goodwill to the residents here,” he said. 

“Give them a little bit of hope and also that the Guards take action and [so as] not to have any more coming in.” 

Local residents say the dump has had an extremely negative impact on their quality of life.

“When it’s burned there’s smoke everywhere - so you can’t open your windows,” one woman said. 

“As I said, in the summertime, [there are] flies - it’s not normal. 

“Everyone gets the odd fly in the house in the summer but it’s not normal, they’re literally everywhere. 

“You’re sitting at your dinner and they’re landing on you constantly. It’s horrible.” 

Another woman said it is “embarrassing” when visitors see the dump. 

“If you come down this road here, come out of your garden, you’ll think it’s just a hill - but it’s not,” she said. 

“Underneath it is all toxic waste, domestic waste and there’s asbestos and all in there.” 

Dublin City Council has a “responsibility for enforcement of the law and regulations” in relation to illegal dumping.

Main image: Illegal dump near Darndale.