This Popular Dublin Hangout Is Infested With Rats

It's a bad news day for residents of this south Dublin seaside hangout.

Dún Laoghaire beach is being treated for rat infestation after locals spotted the vermin crawling on rocks at the seafront.

The HSE's environmental health section has issued a warning to residents, while a sign erected beside the east pier reads, "Warning. These lands are being treated for rat infestation and have been laid with poison."

Speaking to Independent.ie, member of the Dun Laoghaire Residents Association, Ann Joyce said she has regularly spied rats on the beach.

“I’ve seen them on the rocks and in reality we’re only a few feet away from them at any time. It’s a reality unfortunately," she said.

"I would be frightened of rats and no one wants to come across one, but they’re part and parcel of the place now unfortunately.”

She said the rats' presence at the beach was likely due to the high level of construction in the area, driving them away from the town to the shoreline.

Some locals expressed concern that the poison laid out will be consumed by dogs on the beach, with local Councillor Cormac Devlin calling for wider notice to be given to people in nearby areas.

He said the poison will not pose a threat to humans, as the area of the beach in question is not used by bathers due to the rocky nature of the shoreline.