Letters

‘Dublin – dirty, smelly, sticky old town’

The state of the place

Wed Jun 14 2023 - 00:18

Sir, – Una Mullally is correct about the filth of Dublin (“Dublin is a dirty, smelly, sticky old town again”, Opinion & Analysis, June 12th), and while Ian Thompson’s suggestion of French-style municipal pavement washing is welcome (Letters, June 13th), we must look at who the sources of the problem are rather than the council’s cleaning teams and commercial premises holders.

The provision of municipal bins by the council is pathetic, based on the assumption that these will be used for domestic refuse, and Una Mullally rightly points out that it is getting worse, with almost half the municipal bins being removed since 2008.

At a time when the population is increasing and tourist levels have long since bounced back to post-financial crash levels, this is a ludicrous situation.

Our tolerance of those who litter in this country always amazes me, but when bins are not being provided is it any wonder?

READ MORE

Many of us who walk will gladly carry our empty bottles or to bins (often for longer distances than we should have to, and then to find an overflowing bin and no recycling capability) but when was the last time you saw a smoker carrying a stubbed-out cigarette to a bin in the city centre?

As for the other sources of dirt in the city, when you build a brand around drink-based tourism à la Temple Bar, and provide no public toilet facilities, you ensure the consequences.

I recently returned from Copenhagen, which has no litter problems.

Then again in the city centre there were bins every 100 metres.

It’s not exactly rocket science, is it? – Yours, etc,

RORY J WHELAN,

Drogheda,

Co Meath.

Sir, – I totally agree with Una Mullally.

I visited Dublin city on Sunday and was appalled at the rubbish and grubbiness of the capitals main streets O’Connell street and Grafton Street. The city centre was bustling with tourists, which is great to see after the past few years we had. However, I certainly wasn’t proud of what I saw, so can’t imagine what our visitors’ impressions are.

Please, Dublin City Council, take control and clean up the streets. You achieved this before, so surely you can do it again! – Yours, etc,

MARY MANNING,

Mountmellick,

Co Laois.

Sir, – I noted some of the costs of the Biden visit with a raised eyebrow (“Biden visit costs included €6,700 canapé reception and chewing gum removal”, News, June 10th).

Litter picking on the N17, R376 roads, and on the approach to Knock Airport came to €1,770.

Surface cleaning and gum removal in Ballina town centre cost €13,620.

Does this mean that road sweeping, litter picking and street cleaning are special services?

Do these fall into the same category as the purchase of bunting and flags, to be organised solely for the purpose of state visits?

It would certainly explain the filth of Dublin city streets.

Perhaps we need to invite more foreign dignitaries to our shores if it will at least mean the place gets the occasional spruce-up. – Yours, etc,

KATRINA COLLINS,

Dublin 3.

Sir, – Una Mullally says “Dublin is a dirty, smelly, sticky old town one again”.

Was it ever any other way? Was that not part of its charm? As the Bagatelle song goes, “I remember that summer in Dublin, and the Liffey as it stank like hell”.

Perhaps we need more of the aroma from the hops in the Guinness brewery to distract us! – Yours, etc,

AIDAN RODDY,

Cabinteely,

Dublin 18.

Sir, – I found myself agreeing with Una Mullally on every point.

A first time for everything? – Yours, etc,

ROB O’MAHONY,

Kilmainham,

Dublin 8.