‘Rats the size of small kittens’

The issue of illegal dumping was thrashed about in City Hall this week with claims that rats the size of small kittens were on the increase around the city.

Cllr Thomas Gould said that there has been an “absolute tsunami of dumping” right across the city.

The Sinn Féin councillor said: “We have to tackle it. There’s a high amount of rat activity because of it. There’s rats the size of small kittens out there. I had a phone call two weeks ago from a man who said he had a rat in his kitchen because his child was out in the back playing.”

His partymate Mick Nugent said it was an issue he was also dealing with while Chris O’Leary joked that the Pied Piper wouldn’t be able to get rid of the current rat infestation.

Solidarity Cllr Fiona Ryan said she often leaves her home to see that the “white van man” has been around dumping rubbish on the street that she lives on.

Head of the Environment Department in City Hall, Valerie O’Sullivan, joked with Cllr Ryan that she might get the registration number of the van the next time so they follow up on it.

Responding to the issue of an influx in rats and dumping, Ms O’Sullivan told councillors that it is public health issue and City Hall’s role was to clear the rubbish people leave behind.

She added: “Dumping is a criminal activity and is a result of behavioural problems among certain people who choose to do it.”

Local election candidate Noreen Murphy said on Wednesday that after housing, illegal dumping in Ballyvolane is the number one issue on the doorstep.

She said: “Residents are afraid for the safety of their children. I spoke to one woman who said she had to stop taking her family for walks because she was afraid her children would be bitten by rats.”