Waste and litter complaints surge past 1,500 as Wicklow council ramps up fines and CCTV enforcement
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council’s Annual Report for 2025 reveals a county grappling with intensifying environmental pressures, rising waste problems and growing enforcement demands, even as it pushes ahead with ambitious climate action plans, outdoor recreation projects and coastal protection work.
The document offers a detailed snapshot of a local authority attempting to balance long term strategic goals with the immediate realities of illegal dumping, wastewater non‑compliance and the vulnerability of its coastline.
The most striking message emerging from the report is the scale of environmental pressure now facing Wicklow. Waste complaints reached 1,380 during the year, alongside 108 litter complaints and 19 construction and demolition waste complaints.
Enforcement escalated accordingly: 154 litter fines were issued, 56 of them linked to the reintroduction of CCTV at black spots; 25 prosecutions were sent to court; and 168 abandoned vehicle notices were served.
The Glencree Pure Mile Walking Group.
The PURE uplands project, which handles illegal dumping in Wicklow’s mountains, recorded more than 4,100 tonnes of waste removed, a 150‑tonne increase, and logged 900 additional illegal dumping records compared with the previous year.
The report’s own figures make clear that upland dumping is not stabilising but worsening, despite intensive intervention.
Water and wastewater systems show similar signs of strain. While the report highlights that 69pc of Wicklow’s waterbodies are at “good or high status”, well above the national average, the underlying compliance data is more sobering.
Of the 57 septic tank inspections carried out, 38pc required corrective action. Of the 78 licensed wastewater discharges monitored, 52pc of samples required corrective action. The council conducted 326 private well inspections and took 60 investigative samples to trace pollution sources.
These figures point to a county with strong natural water assets but persistent problems in private and municipal wastewater systems, requiring ongoing enforcement and remediation.
Coastal pressures are also becoming more pronounced. The East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Project (ECRIPP), covering the stretch from Bray to Wicklow town, progressed through public consultation during the year, reflecting growing concern about erosion along the rail line and coastline.
A view of the Dart between Greystones and Bray, from the sea. © Leigh Anderson
Wicklow Harbour required underwater concrete repairs to fill voids in the East Pier, and both Wicklow and Arklow Harbours received upgraded security systems and welfare facilities.
The council retained its three Blue Flags in Greystones South, Brittas Bay North and Brittas Bay South, but the report notes that the Department has sanctioned a full time water safety officer from 2026 onwards, a sign of increasing demand for coastal oversight.
These pressures form the backdrop to a year in which Wicklow also delivered significant progress on climate action and outdoor recreation. The council adopted the Biodiversity Action Plan 2026–2031, the Litter Management Plan 2026–2029, the Outdoor Recreation Plan 2025–2030 and a new Sustainable Drainage Systems Policy.
It is now working through 135 climate actions, with 84 in progress and 41 completed. Community climate funding reached €646,000 in Phase 1, with €2.3 million in applications received for Phase 2.
Youth engagement was also strong: more than 250 students attended the Wicklow Biodiversity Youth Conference, and another 250 participated in the Youth Climate Conference hosted with Educate Together Secondary School and Codling Wind Farm. Fifty‑five Green Schools were active, 22 schools received new green flags, and 800 tree saplings were distributed for National Tree Week.
Outdoor recreation continues to be central to Wicklow’s identity, and the report reinforces that message.
The restoration project at the Great Sugarloaf, the launch of the Wicklow Trails app and the delivery of the pump track at the Murrough, described as the largest facility of its kind in Ireland, all underline the council’s strategy of positioning Wicklow as the country’s outdoor playground.
The purchase of 21 acres at Magheramore Beach, guaranteeing public access, stands out as one of the most significant land acquisitions by the council in recent years.
Ireland's longest Pump Track is officially opened on the Murrough in Wicklow town.
Mobility and decarbonisation also featured prominently. The rollout of 250 e‑bikes across Bray, Greystones and Wicklow/Rathnew marks one of the largest shared mobility deployments outside Dublin.
Three new electric mowers were added to the council’s fleet to reduce operational emissions, and the Arklow Decarbonisation Zone continues to develop, with 23 climate goals specific to the area.
The report is framed by messages from the cathaoirleach and chief executive, both emphasising delivery, collaboration and community benefit. But the data tells a more complex story: Wicklow is a county of extraordinary natural assets, and the council is working hard to protect and enhance them.
At the same time, it is grappling with the pressures of illegal dumping, wastewater compliance and coastal erosion.
The Annual Report shows a local authority that is ambitious, active and increasingly climate focused, but also one that must continue to confront the environmental challenges that come with growth, popularity and geography.