Residents in Gaoth Dobhair have set up a committee after claims that human waste is being dumped by some tourists staying in caravans in Port Arthur.
The committee are attempting to establish who polices the area in order to resolve the situation which has now been described as ‘intolerable’.
Members of the committee are attempting to establish whether the land is marked as a Special Area of Conservation, if so that would prohibit anyone being on the land.
They’re also in contact with delegates from Glenveagh to get clarity on the matter.
More than 70 people attended a meeting last night to discus the situation.
At the meeting locals criticized the County Council saying they were aware of the situation and that they have done nothing about it.
Officials from the council are expecting to visit the site next week.
The nine-man committee which was formed last night will be chaired by Hughie Mac Giolla Bhríde.
It was Mac Giolla Bhríde who first brought the on-going problem into the public domain, when he posted pictures of the human waste being dumped beside Port Arthur on his Facebook timeline.
The pictures sparked an outrage amongst other locals and over 80 people attended the public meeting last night which was held in the Gweedore United club house.
Locals expressed their annoyance at the situation and said something needed to be urgently done to resolve the issue.
One local said he seen one tourist dump his waste into the water beside the pier, when the local approached him to ask why he did what he did, the local was told in no uncertain terms to clear off.
Local councillors Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig and John Sheamis Ó Fearraigh were in attendance at the meeting.
Mac Giolla Bhríde said he realises the importance of tourists to the local economy, but reiterated that with 45-50 caravans camping on site with absolutely no sanitation facilities the area was now a health and safety issue.
Mac Giolla Bhríde told Donegal Daily, “I don’t have anything against tourists, and people who attended the meeting last night concerned about the situation don’t either.
“We realise the importance they play in the local economy, but the fact of the matter is there is absolutely no sanitation disposal facilities on site, and as a result human waste is being dumped in the quarry beside the beach.
“It’s only about 100 yards from the beach, and the smell as you can imagine is foul, and the area is now full of bluebottles.
Mac Giolla Bhríde believes there should be a proper camping site in Gaoth Dobhair because there’s such a demand for one in the area.
He also said it was scandalous that there wasn’t even bins for tourists to put their rubbish into and said it was a disgrace there isn’t even a few port-a-loos on site at the beach.
“You’ve between 40-50 caravans in the area and not one of them have any proper sanitation facility, they’re just going to the toilet in the quarry.
“It’s disgusting and the situation has now become intolerable for locals living nearby, there’s not even bins to dump their rubbish so many just leave their rubbish behind too.
“I spoke to James Browne from Gortlee Hire and he told me he has fitted several port-a-loos at beaches all over Donegal, so I can’t understand why a number haven’t been fitted here.
“Port Arthur is a beautiful scenic area and has a beautiful beach, but the lack of these basic facilities is now causing a serious issue in the area.
Mac Giolla Bhríde said the committee are having another meeting tonight and are hoping to establish who actually policies the area.
“We’re having another meeting tonight and hopefully we can find out who exactly owns the land.
“As I said I’ve nothing against tourists, many have come before in the past with caravans equipped with sanitation facilities, and they’re lovely friendly people who respect the area and clean up after themselves.
“But this current situation can no longer go and, as it’s a health concern and it needs to be sorted ASAP.
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