Statement on Sean Walsh Park

As part of a planned process of removing built-up silt and illegally dumped rubbish from the man-made lakes in Sean Walsh Park, South Dublin County Council carried out de-silting works during the summer months.

The de-silting and cleaning of the lakes are essential for improving the natural habitat of the park and for flood alleviation measures in the area. While in excess of forty tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish was removed off-site, the drained silt was placed in mounds on an uncultivated area of the park to the south of the wetlands in Sean Walsh Park. The Council has habitually used this area for depositing silt and last did so when carrying out works on the larger lake in 2018.

Following these works in Sean Walsh Park, the silt mounds were levelled. The Council will immediately review the practice of the disposal of silt drained from lakes. However, best practice dictates that the material removed is placed as close to the origin as possible.

The Council will continue to work to enhance the wetlands in Sean Walsh Park and in the County through its Constructed Wetlands Programme. The Council will also continue to deliver on the commitments given through our Climate Change Action Plan.