Rowallene Councillor Patrick Brown met recently with volunteer Warden Seamus King of the Mourne Heritage Trust to discuss recent and ongoing environmental issues at Murlough Beach.
Mr. King, who is a vocal and active campaigner on local environmental issues, highlighted to Cllr. Brown the problems Murlough was facing including dog fouling, tree removal, disturbance of rare birds and the discovery of mortar shells from WW2 on the beach.
Councillor Brown also took the opportunity to highlight a ‘Green Dog Walkers’ scheme which has been trialed in Falkirk and Craigavon councils, and involves dog walkers and volunteers taking a proactive approach to discouraging dog fouling and making doggy bags more available.
Cllr. Brown, who is also the Alliance Party’s candidate in the upcoming NI Assembly election, said: “It was great to meet with Seamus and discuss environmental issues with someone so passionate about them. As a young person in politics, I know the importance of the environment and its conservation for our future.
“Small things, such as ensuring dogs are kept on a lead in areas where birds and other animals can be disturbed, and making sure any dog mess is cleared up, go a long way to ensuring a sustainable and enjoyable environment for all. There are also associated economic benefits in ensuring our wonderful natural assets like Murlough Beach are kept clean and presentable to visitors and locals alike. It is important our politicians continue to raise awareness of these issues.
“I’m also concerned about the discovery of mortar shells on Murlough Beach. Although a fascinating reminder of our local history, experts have warned these shells may not be safe and I would call upon the relevant MOD authorities to make sure they are removed quickly”.
