Anger over deliberate fires in Mountmellick
The scene at Smithsfield after yet another bonfire this week. Photo: Mountmellick Tidy Towns
DELIBERATE fires in a meadow near a Mountmellick housing estate are causing huge anxiety and annoyance for residents.
Emergency services had to extinguish fires in Smithsfield twice in the past two days, after piles of household items and rubbish were set alight.
The ongoing problem is causing serious concern for locals, particularly residents of the nearby Kirwan Park housing estate.
According to locals, the fires are set by youths who even go around collecting items to set alight.
The dangerous bonfires have been highlighted by the Tidy Towns group, which is involved in biodiversity conservation in Smithsfield.
In an appeal on social media today, Mountmellick Tidy Towns said: ‘Here we go again, another post, another fire, another appeal.
‘Please, please whoever you are STOP and think about the mindless act of vandalism you’re doing.
‘We're also appealing to people who are purposely leaving items out for these young people to collect for these fires to also STOP doing this.
‘We're also pretty sure some of you know who is setting these fires or leaving items out for them, so please name them so we can try and get this issue sorted before someone gets hurt.’
