Bollards blocking dunes 'horrific' looking but they will do a job protecting Mornington Special Area of Conservation

Concrete boulders have been installed at Mornington dunes to deter people from entering the site and prevent further damage to the Special Area of Conservation.

It follows a spate of incidents during the summer that saw a number of blazes break out destroying parts of the dunes.

In July up to 20 tents of revellers pitched up at the seaside village resulting in scorched dunes at Mornington and litter strewn in the reeds.

Beach visitors who overstayed their welcome lit fires, set off fireworks and left huge amounts of rubbish behind according to local resident, Eimear Smith who said residents have had enough.

Shortly after this incident another major fire followed resulting in further damage to the protected area.

Local Cllr Sharon Tolan said she had mixed views on the boulders.

“The boulders are horrific looking but they are a temporary measure, they will do the job, they are very effective and that's all that matters at this stage,” said Tolan.

“I have raised the issue with the chief executive of Meath Co Council and we are working with National Parks and Wildlife on a conservational management plan but we are still waiting on a decision from them on that plan,” she added.

“There are parking measures as part of that plan and fencing that will replace the boulders but ultimately we will be removing cars completely out of that section of the dunes and introducing road side parking spaces further up.”

A new Mornington Tidy Towns Group was officially formed recently to “enhance” the beach and protect the dunes.

Chairperson, Declan Collins previously told how the group is backing the Mornington Dunes Restoration Plan proposed by Meath Co Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to restore and protect the dunes.

He added that with recent reports of fires, rubbish and anti-social behaviour at Mornington Beach, it is more important than ever to ensure this does not continue.

“As per the Foreshore Byelaws brought in by Meath Co Council a couple of years ago, it states no caravanning, no camping and no fires so it’s quite clear that there are laws that have to be complied with but there would be a gap in these rules being implemented,” he added.

“Meath Co Council has now said that their beach ranger will now include Mornington in their patrol area so that will be a big help so we need proper enforcement.”

Greater signage is needed in the area to inform people that the dunes are out of bounds, said Declan.

“If they deteriorate to a certain point, it’s very hard to recover them,” he added.

Earlier this year Meath Co Co wrote to sports clubs in the area requesting them not to use the dunes for training as locals had reported an increase in this activity despite past calls for them not to use this area of the beach.