FURIOUS locals cried “shame on you” after a beloved Irish beauty spot was left trashed by disrespectful campers.
Park rangers discovered that a group of campers had illegally spent the night in the protected area and left a huge mess behind them including bottles, tents, sleeping bags and a folding table and chairs.
Raven Point wildlife park is a protected nature reserve[/caption]
A trail of paper plates leads up to the site of the wreckage[/caption]
The incident occurred at Raven Point Wildfowl Reserve on the south coast in Co Wexford.
The spot is a haven for wildlife and is used for conserving various plants, trees, and animal species.
It’s home to grey squirrels, foxes, hedgehogs, birds, toads, hare, and sometimes deer.
And it houses Curracloe Beach, which boasts various kinds of marine and plant species.
While the reserve is popular among walkers, it is a protected area and there are certain rules in place.
Workers were left shocked just days ago when they discovered that a group of disrespectful visitors had paid no attention to the rules.
The team took to social media to share images of the scene which is set against a backdrop of sand dunes.
A trail of paper plates leads up to the site where a tent has collapsed in on itself and been abandoned next to several sleeping bags.
The images show a camping table heaped with rubbish including beer bottles and plastic tubs.
And all around the campsite has been strewn with food wrappers, glass and plastic bottles, and a folded up camping chair.
‘JUST WOW’
The campers even left a blackened disposable barbecue grill as well as shopping and black bags.
Posting the pictures on Facebook, the team said: “Wow. Just wow. This is what staff have to greet them on a Sunday morning.
“Not only have you camped in a Nature Reserve, where no camping or fires are allowed, but you have abandoned all your mess and just walked away.
“A Nature Reserve is for nature. For the enjoyment and the protection of nature, for animals, plants and people.
‘STAGGERING’
“The sense of entitlement you must have to treat our natural environment like this is staggering.
“Also, to treat people like this as we have staff down at the Raven now clearing up all this rubbish.
“The Raven is an amenity for all, but first and foremost it is a nature reserve.
“We have to respect our natural spaces or we will lose them.”
SICKENING SIGHT
Shocked viewers took to the comments section to condemn the behaviour.
One person said: “As someone who lives and walks this area daily this scene is not that rare. It sickens me to see it.
“On the other hand I love the outdoors and have nothing against a respectful nature loving camper who abides by the leave no trace mantra.
“To be clear are we to call the guards every time we encounter someone camping in Curracloe as it would mean a near daily call during the summer period and if we do what action will be taken.
‘NOTHING SHORT OF DISGUSTING’
“Would love to hear what the official response to this is.”
Another commented: “Nothing short of disgusting.”
A third put in: “Very disappointing to see this – but commonplace – A throwaway disposable society.
“It will be the goodwill of a local Tidy Towns group or local community group who will have to clean up this mess.”
And a fourth penned: “Disgusting. No respect for the environment or other people.
“And unfortunately a lot of “cheap” camping gear is simply viewed as disposable now, so you can just leave it all behind to become someone elses problem while you regale your pals with the great night you all had.”
And a fifth said: “Shame on you.”
People cried ‘shame on you’ after seeing the footage[/caption]
