'Rat infested' rubbish in Portlaoise estate to cost €40,000 to clean up

The clean-up bill for a rubbish filled rat-run between two Laois housing estates, is estimated at up to €40,000, and that is before the cost of closing up the gap.

It was created when two boundary walls were built between two separate housing estates in Portlaoise, rather than one shared wall, a practice that is still continued.  Residents of Carmody Way recently spoke about rats created when people dumped rubbish in the gap. Items as big as mattresses were left there.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley from the Portlaoise Municipal District claims that two estimates given to Laois County Council to clean the gap stand at €30,000 and €40,000.

She tabled a motion to their recent meeeting, asking the council to address concerns of residents in houses 49 to 62 Carmody Way, around the dumping. She also asks it to resolve the Property boundary issue between Fairgreen Estate and Clonrooske Abbey.

"Residents raised very serious concerns about the dumping and a rat infestation. I think every councillor in the room here raised that when planning permission is given, there was a big gap in the two boundaries, it's a no-man's land. From number 49 to 62 there is an alleyway at the back. It has very overgrown shrubbery. There is a bit of illegal dumping causing a problem. Residents contacted Laois County Council and agreed to extend their gardens. Planning have to look at this so we are not left with gaps. 

"We did get work done, fences had come down and kids were going from one estate to the next," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

She said that a council official told her they received two prices to clean up the area, one was €40,000, another €30,000. It will cost €8,000 to remove the trees. 

"This is just to tidy the boundary, not move it, the end goal. This will be the estate management budget completely blown. The council is looking for alternative funding but the first step is cleaning up," the councillor said.

A petition was signed by residents and given by her to Laois County Council.

"We have to be honest, it's the people dumping the rubbish causing the problem with the rat infestation. It's unfair to people who don't dump. I'm told the cleanup will be fairly soon," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

Cllr Marie Tuohy seconded her motion.

"Imagine the reality of trying to prevent rats getting into your home. The fear of letting children out. One resident told me they ensure there is no dog food left out. That's not a solution. Basically they have to have the boundary extended. This is a really unpleasant situation," she said.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said that in hot weather, residents cannot leave their door open or let children play outdoors.

"It's not fair on people with big mortgages, to face anti social behaviour. Can we get cameras there in the meantime?" she suggests.

Cllr Barry Walsh supports the CCTV suggestion, saying it is a problem "all over".

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Cllr Dwane Stanley agreed and said it that Gardaí, the environment and housing sections, LSPCA and horse control staff must all work together throughout the community on such issues.

In response to her motion, Laois County Council's housing section confirmed it had sought prices to clean the area behind houses 49 to 62 with work to start within weeks. It said the matter of the boundary wall will be dealt with thereafter.