Trick or Treat? The aftermath when Halloween goes too far

From sparklers and sweet treats to illegal fireworks and unstable, dangerous bonfires, Halloween offers something for the whole family.

Over the years, we have seen stories in local and national papers about serious injuries and horrible mishaps that have occurred before and during the big night. 

But councillors and officials in Dublin City Council (DCC) told The Liberty how the damage to facilities and public amenities can affect a community for months after Halloween night – and why now is the time to talk about it.

In 2006, legislation made it an offence to possess a firework without a licence. But the long-standing tradition of setting off the colourful weapons has lived on.

Bonfires are also illegal, with DCC asking the public to report any ‘stockpiled material’ as a safety measure.

“It’s about the responsibility in our communities to our adolescents,” City Councillor and newly elected Sinn Féin TD Máire Devine told The Liberty. “And the aftermath of it is that we’ve actually opened a conversation.”

Devine says she has taken heat from youngsters for her community safety efforts. “I’ve been called, you know, a rat. It’s what kids do. And obviously they’re quite annoyed. But on the QT and the private messaging – and I met them as well, just to say, look, I can help you, but you need to stop destroying your area.

“I won’t let you do that. I can’t let you do that – and you may call me a rat fair enough.”

“The destruction after Halloween, it’s just heartbreaking, and it’s heart sinking…I’m probably the only councillor that is in the area that will say I actually think bonfires are part of Halloween but they are destroying what they have…”

Councillor Máire Devine

Devine recognises that bonfires are not good for the environment but are a part of Irish Halloween tradition and believes that one carefully organised bonfire could be a safer and a better solution to the problem.

“We could get them to buy into it and to build one, and get the fire people with them and the DCC with them, to get them to try and do that.”

“Dublin City Council provided many opportunities for really exciting and fun activities for the community this Halloween” Social Democrats councillor Jen Cummins, also newly elected to the Dáil, said. “It is a shame that not everyone engaged in them. The lasting environmental damage that is caused by bonfires is something that we need to address for future Halloween events.” 

DCC noted a number of incidents prior to and on the night of Halloween in the southwest inner city.

“Despite considerable funding and significant community participation, a small cohort continued to engage in anti-social behaviour,” DCC said. “This resulted in a number of small bonfires in the area with household waste set alight on Pimlico Green on several occasions prior to Halloween. 

“On Halloween evening, two large steel bins and other household items were set alight on a vacant site on Bonham Street.”

The clean-up can take days following Halloween, but as for the damage, well, that can take much longer. 

“The post Halloween clean-up begins the first week in November. However, damage to green spaces may take 12 to 18 months to fully repair,” DCC said.

A large quantity of unlicensed fireworks were lit at Bridgefoot Street Park and the Linear Park at St James Walk on Halloween night, DCC added. 

The council said unlicensed fireworks pose risks to local people making their way to and from Halloween events.

“Thankfully this year, there was no injury or loss of life at any of the incidents as listed,” DCC said. “However, the clean-up requires resources to be re-deployed from other core services at a cost to the city council and its citizens. Valuable community assets are vandalised, and environmental damage and pollution is a cost that cannot be quantified.”