There was anger and disappointment at bonfire damages in Drimnagh this Halloween - despite citywide figures showing a sharp decline in incidents compared to last year.
Local Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan has described recent damages to the football pitch on Benmadigan Road and the green on Dromard Road as "an attack on the whole community", and stated those responsible "need to take a long hard look at themselves". Cllr Doolan said: "A football pitch and green have been badly damaged by fires.
"It also caused a lot of fear for local families who had to endure the threat posed by these bonfires. I am urging Dublin City Council to clean up and repair the damage as soon as possible. We cannot allow our communities to be held to ransom by the action of a few people.
"I would strongly encourage the public to call the Dublin Fire Brigade as soon as they see any fires being started. It is only by working together will we put an end to the damage caused by bonfires."
The burnt out pitch and green in Drimnagh demonstrates the negative effects of illegal bonfires - but it comes following a coordinated crackdown on such instances by Dublin City Council this year. With a bonfire hotline opened to stamp out illegal bonfires before they occur, the figures for fires this year showed a significant decline.
The Council say they significantly reduced the risk to public safety this Halloween through a sustained effort to remove flammable materials, such as pallets and tyres, intended for illegal bonfires. This proactive operation was carried out by teams across the Public Domain, Waste Management, Parks, and Housing departments, working closely with An Garda Síochána.
Dublin Fire Brigade said the removal of bonfire stockpile material, together with heavy rainfall, resulted in a decrease of Halloween-related calls this year. From midnight on the 31 October to midnight on 1 November Dublin Fire Brigade received 320 fire calls, of which 276 were Halloween-related.
This can be compared to the 494 fire calls heard in 2024, 421 of which were Halloween-related. While illegal bonfires at Halloween can pose serious health risks to those in attendance, the long-lasting environmental impact is also significant.
Damaged grass can take up to 18 months to recover and start growing normally again, meaning people who rely on amenities like football pitches often bear the brunt of the impact.
This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.