Disgusting scenes in Portlaoise public park
Sewage discharge into the river at the Triogue Linear Park, Portlaoise, photographed by a concerned resident
DIRTY toilet paper, used tampons and human faeces are among the waste discharged into a scenic river at a public park in Portlaoise, at least three times within eight days.
The disgusting scenes were filmed and photographed by a concerned local man, who walks regularly at the Triogue Linear Park in the town centre.
The park, which is managed by Laois Couny Council, has undergone major recent enhancement and is marketed as an ‘inviting green corridor’, with new walking and cycling paths, a basketball court and a free public dog park.
However, a resident of nearby Esker Hills was horrified to witness repeated releases of effluent into the river, most recently last Saturday.
Providing photographs and videos to the , he said: “The evidence shows faeces, toilet paper and tampons flushed into the stream. The stench was overwhelming.”
When contacted by the this week, Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) confirmed that a blockage in the public sewer network had caused wastewater to ‘back up within the system’.
A spokesperson said that crews attended the site immediately to investigate the sewage discharge and will continue to monitor the situation.
The spokesperson said: ‘The blockage has now been cleared and the public sewer, associated private connections and surrounding areas have been cleaned using specialist equipment.’
An almost daily walker in the Triogue Linear Park, the resident said he witnessed sewage discharge into the river on Saturday, 5 September; Thursday 3 September and Saturday 29 August.
He said that the discharge occurred behind properties along the Ridge Road, upstream of the dog park, on the town side of the railway line.
He said: “When I first noticed a strong gush of sewage on 29 August, it was after extremely heavy rain so I thought it was just random overflow. But when it happened again on 3 September, there hadn’t been any heavy rain.”
The resident, who does not wish to be identified, said on Monday, 7 September: “On closer inspection, the culprit appears to be the manhole cover, which is at the westernmost end of the allotments behind the apartments at Riverview, off the Millbrook/Ridge Road roundabout.”
When contacted by the on 7 September, a county council spokesperson said: ‘Laois County Council can confirm that, upon becoming aware of the matter, it was immediately referred to Uisce Éireann, who are currently addressing it.’
In a response to the on Tuesday, 8 September, Uisce Éireann said in a statement: ‘Uisce Éireann understands that issues on the wastewater network can be concerning for local communities and we want to reassure customers that we responded as soon as we were notified.
‘Our crews attended the site immediately to investigate and identified a blockage on the public sewer network, which had caused wastewater to back up within the system.
‘The blockage has now been cleared and the public sewer, associated private connections and surrounding areas have been cleaned using specialist equipment.
‘We know how important it is to protect local communities, public health and the environment. Based on the information currently available, the environmental impact is considered to be low.
‘Heavy rainfall at the time may have contributed to the development of the blockage, and Uisce Éireann will continue to monitor the situation and take any further action needed.’
Laois Tourism describes the Triogue Linear Park as ‘one of the town’s most inviting green corridors — a peaceful escape that connects nature, community, and outdoor recreation’.
The tourism agency says on its website: ‘This thoughtfully landscaped park stretches along the river, offering visitors a mix of riverside walks, green lawns, and shaded seating areas, where you can pause to enjoy the calm flow of the water and the sounds of local birdlife.
‘The walking and cycling paths that weave through the park make it a popular spot for daily exercise, leisurely strolls and family outings.’
