It’s ‘laziness’ that leads to litter ruining waterways

These are just a few of the items you will see in the river if you walk along the Queen Elizabeth Road.

A build up of rubbish is creating a massive eyesore on waterways around Enniskillen as people throw away their rubbish without a care for the effect it is having on their surroundings, the environment and the wildlife on the River Erne.

Diana McChesney, an eco-activist who is trying to fight the scourge of pollution in the county said it was sad that people are doing this to their own areas.

“It’s a mess. It’s not nice to look at. It seems to be that there are a lot of people growing up now that don’t respect their surroundings. It is just laziness on their part.

“Their attitude and their mindset doesn’t make them think to put their rubbish in a bin.”

Sinn Féin Enniskillen Councillor, Debbie Coyle described those dropping litter in the river as a “disgrace”.

“It’s disgusting. There is no need for it. People have to take responsibility for this and take their rubbish away with them.

“It is not a nice look at for people coming to the town to see. People need to be mindful that we are the only island town in Ireland and we want people to visit it and walk around it and they don’t want to look at that mess.”

A Fermanagh and Omagh District Council statement said the Council were aware of a build up of rubbish in the area due high water levels recently.

“Arrangements are in place to litter pick the shoreline before the end of this week.

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council takes the issue of litter and fly-tipping very seriously and is committed to working with others to address the issue of rubbish and the throw away culture.”

“The Council supports the ‘Leave No Trace’ principle and encourages members of the public to assist the Council to help protect the beautiful and unspoilt landscape of the district by always placing their rubbish in a bin or taking it home to prevent it from creating a mess and posing a risk to wildlife.”