Council to come down hard on lake bye-law breaches
Westmeath County Council has indicated it’s going to come down hard on those breaching the bye-laws at any of its lakes this summer.
That means no overnight camping, no dumping, no lighting fires, holding large gatherings with loud music, fishing in the designated bathing areas or letting dogs run around off their leash.
Anyone who does break the rules may find themselves paying dear, as fines can be as much as €1904.60, council director of services, Mary Goldsberry, told members of the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District at their April monthly meeting.
“And just so that the public are aware, penalties will be imposed where there are any breaches of these bye-laws and prosecutions under the legislation will be exercised where appropriate,” she added.
Ahead of the summer season, the council’s environment section is tendering for seasonal wardens and it is expected that they will be contracted to work from May to September.
Ms Goldsberry said that the Municipal District intended to prioritise preservation of the natural beauty of the lake shores, parks and the greenways this summer while enhancing accessibility and recreation opportunities for the public.
“The district community wardens and outdoor staff will be working in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, the seasonal wardens and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure the lakeshores, parks and greenways are monitored,” she said.
“We will be also posting regular posts on social media to inform the public about the lakeshore regulations. Signage at the lakeshores is in place at the moment and we are also looking at putting additional signage where appropriate.”
Changing at Diving Boards
Those swimming at the Diving Boards at Lough Owel won’t have to wait much longer for the promised changing shelter.
Ms Goldsberry revealed that work on this is currently under way and the expectation is that it will be ready within the coming weeks.
Collinstown
Good news for those living in the Collinstown area: Ms Goldsberry said the district had been successful in its application for funding under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure scheme which would enable the district provide a safe walkway/cycleway to Lough Lene.
Cllr David Jones enquired whether the bye-laws covered the car parks at the lakes as well as the lakeshores: “There is a number of car parks having issues around the Municipal District of Mullingar and Kinnegad at night and during the day,” he said, adding that at times the litter problem at Lough Lene is “terrible”.
Cllr Emily Wallace welcomed the council policy, and appealed to the public not to litter: “Respect what we have in our beautiful county,” she said.
Cllr Niall Gaffney was also of the view that enforcement of the lakeshore bye-laws would not take away from anyone’s enjoyment of the lakes, but would ensure everybody got to enjoy them.
Responding, Ms Goldsberry stated that the car parks will be monitored as well, especially at Lough Lene: “There are some issues there and we’re examining them,” she said, adding that the council would be investigating further to see if there was a fund they could access to help resolve the problems there.
Ms Goldsberry told the meeting that enforcement would be carried out by litter wardens, community wardens, traffic wardens and the gardaí.”