Rat Infestation Highthorn Park
Type: Motion
Status: Open
Highthorn Park has experienced a significant increase in rat activity, with evidence suggesting a broken underground sewer or drainage pipe near the drainage covers and signs of ground subsidence. A request has been made for Uisce Éireann to inspect the drainage network, repair any damaged infrastructure, and advise if another public body is responsible for any part of the issue. Also a ticket raised with Dun Laoghaire County council on 3rd August.
Motion raised for 28th September 2026
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That the Chief Executive arrange for the engineers to urgently assess Highthorn Park, including the green area at the end of the estate (adjacent to 76 Highthorn Park) and the drainage covers, and inspect the defective gully/drainage pipework identified by Uisce Éireann, including any associated ground subsidence or voids, with a view to carrying out the necessary remedial works and providing a permanent solution to the ongoing rat infestation. This follows a representation made by me, following which Uisce Éireann carried out CCTV inspection and dye testing and confirmed that the main source of the problem appears to be defects in the road gully pipework at the above-mentioned location, which it has confirmed is the responsibility of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, with a report on the findings, proposed remedial works and timeframe for completion to be presented at the next Area Committee meeting.
14/Sep/2026: Motion raised for 28th September 2026 as above
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28/08/2026 Water Authority Update
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Did site inspection by using cctv camera and using dyed water. There is some minor remedial work to be carried out in the chamber where the gullies discharge into the UE asset, this will be done shortly. They will also clean the sewer with our jetvac as an extra precaution. But a major work need to be done with DLR CC, which I am(Cllr TJ) working with the council management.
03/08/2026 DLR CC update
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Raised a ticket DLR-CRM 404477 on 03/08/2026. The particular land is on a longterm lease, with a sublease then given to residents of the individual houses on the site. DLRCC has no evidence for a formal taking in charge of the plot.
-------------Uisce Éireann------------
Uisce Éireann has opened query 50961/106201 regarding the pest issue at 76 Highthorn Park and is liaising with its Operations Department, with an update to follow once further information is available.
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Raised DLR-CRM 408112 --- On 20/08/2026 for the update on Ownership, Management
Response:- Thanks for sending in your email regarding Highthorn Park and the additional info requested. Please see a note from the DLRCC refrencer.
The DLRCC refrencer can only assist with question 1 and has indicated that a folio (referring to a given property within the development) makes reference to “The leasehold interest in the property… created by a Sub-Lease from HIGHTHORN HOUSING SOCIETY LIMITED…”. Based on that my assumption was that the developers leased the land that now comprises Highthorn Park and then subleased the plots on which the houses were built. Any roads/open spaces would presumably remain on the original lease.
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Date:
Start Date: 03/08/2026 Status Date: —