Dublin clears over 670 tonnes of bonfire materials

Dublin City Council undertook a major operation ahead of Halloween to remove large quantities of potentially dangerous materials such as pallets and tyres that are often stockpiled for illegal bonfires. This initiative aimed to safeguard public safety and protect city infrastructure from fire hazards.

Teams from the Council’s Public Domain, Waste Management, Parks and Housing departments collaborated closely with An Garda Síochána to identify and clear these materials. Community vigilance and public reports through the Citizen Hub were instrumental in locating stockpiles before they posed a threat. Waste Management crews responded to 73 callouts, collecting 82.5 tonnes of materials, while larger vehicles removed an additional 590 tonnes, totalling 672.5 tonnes citywide.

On Halloween night, Dublin Fire Brigade handled 1,620 emergency calls, making it their busiest such night in 15 years. Of these, 470 fire calls were directly linked to Halloween incidents. Despite the hectic activity, no injuries to emergency personnel were reported. Meanwhile, the Council’s Community Teams organised family-friendly events across Dublin, providing safe and inclusive celebrations. The Council expressed gratitude to residents, staff, emergency services, and community groups for their cooperation and dedication in keeping the city safe.