Council to trial ‘spray-painted stencil messages’ to tackle dog fouling and improve Dún Laoghaire bathing water
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is set to use “spray-painted stencil messages” on footpaths as part of a pilot campaign targeting dog fouling and bathing water quality in Dún Laoghaire.
The initiative will see messages applied in a number of busy public spaces in an effort to encourage dog owners to clean up after their pets.
According to the council, the locations were chosen due to their popularity with residents and visitors, as well as their importance as recreational and coastal amenities.
The council said the initiative also forms part of wider efforts to improve bathing water quality at Dún Laoghaire Baths.
A recent rating by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave Dún Laoghaire Baths a “poor” classification for the 2026 bathing season, a rating the local authority said is based on test results recorded during 2025.
The council said bathing water quality at Dún Laoghaire Baths is currently rated “excellent” and considered safe for swimming, with testing carried out twice monthly outside the bathing season and weekly during the bathing season, which runs from June 1 to September 15.
Meanwhile this pilot scheme will run throughout June and will include a monitoring and evaluation process using GIS mapping technology to assess whether the intervention reduces dog fouling in the targeted areas.
An initial survey has already been completed to establish a baseline, with follow-up inspections due to take place four weeks after the campaign begins.
Currently, anyone caught littering or failing to clean up after their dog has fouled can receive a fixed payment notice of €150 or face a Class B fine on summary conviction, which is set to increase to €250 from September 1.
Cllr Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Jim Gildea, said public spaces were among the county’s “greatest assets”.
“It is vital that we all play our part in keeping them clean and enjoyable for everyone,” he said.
“This pilot is a practical and innovative step to encourage responsible dog ownership, and I fully endorse the proactive, evidence-based approach to tackling this issue and commend DLR for taking this initiative.”
Chief Executive Frank Curran of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said: “By combining awareness measures with data and monitoring, we are taking a proactive approach to addressing dog fouling while also supporting wider environmental objectives, including improved bathing water quality.
“Small changes in behaviour can collectively deliver significant benefits for our communities and environment,” he added.
The council said it will consider expanding the initiative to other areas across the county if the pilot proves “successful”.