Residents of Mulhuddart in North Dublin say a suspected faulty sewage pipeline has spread an “unbearable stench” near their homes.
The smell which has been a long-standing issue for people in Mulhuddart’s Castlecurragh area is likely due to a crack in a main sewerage pipeline, according to a councillor in the area.
However, despite “temporary measures” being introduced over the years, there have been reports of a bad odour for at least the last two years.
The area in Castlecurragh where smells have been reported
“Even back in 2024, when I was going around canvassing in the area, the main issue people brought up was the strench,” said Ellen Troy, Aontú Councillor for Castleknock.
“One lady said to me she doesn’t want to hang her baby’s clothes because of the smell.
“Uisce Éireann has come back to me to confirm that a contractor has been engaged to seal the decommissioned main and that all the works are expected to be completed by the end of November.”
She added that people in the area are concerned.
“People are anxious and worried for their health and hygiene,” said Cllr Troy.
“It’s a disgusting raw sewage smell, sometimes it would be unbearable. People would have to close their windows, never step out at times and they couldn’t even enjoy their own gardens.
Last year, Breda Hanaphy, Sinn Féin councillor for Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart, said that people in the area are frustrated by “temporary” measures.
“This issue has continued for far too long,” said Cllr Hanaphy in a statement.
“The community are frustrated, angry, with the ongoing excuses by Uisce Éireann and the temporary measures which they put in place.”
Grant Mason
In September, Mulhuddart resident Grant Mason launched a petition calling for a long-term solution to the bad odour.
“I grew up here, I’ve been aware of the smell for at least the last five or six years. I remember I used to walk my granddad’s dog with him and we would talk about how bad the smell was,” said Grant Mason (24).
“I would describe it as a horrible sewage smell. It’s terrible and it’s right there. It’s even worse when it’s hot during the summer when there’s no wind and it’s just sitting there.”
It has impacted people’s lives, said Mr Mason.
“I live a five-minute walk away from the area. I have a lot of family who live in a housing estate in Castlecurragh and they get that smell every day,” he said.
“You have people who own houses here who worked hard to do it and are paying off their mortgages. You can’t even open a window in your own home.”
“This horrible smell is impacting our lives in so many ways.”
Cllr Troy added that complaints increase during the summer months.
“I became more aware of it this summer during the hot weather but I know other councillors in the area have been speaking about it for years,” she said.
“I’ll be carefully watching in early November that this work will go through. My understanding is that it’s a crack in the pipe and the smell from the main sewer is making it’s way though that pipe.”
The Irish Independent contacted Uisce Éireann for comment.