City Suburbs in fear of some bad apples

Crab apples and ornamental pears have started dropping from trees lining many residential streets around Fairview and Marino.

The fruit can pose a public safety hazard, say residents. Every year the fruit causes dozens of slips, trips and falls.

"This is a serious and on-going health and safety problem and there have been many injuries suffered by residents as a result of the apples making the pavement very slippery at this time of year," local councillor Damien O'Farrell said.

Some residents have even suffered broken limbs in previous years.

Damage is caused every autumn by children throwing the fruit at each other, at windows and at cars.

Cllr O'Farrell said that recent funding cuts meant the streets are not being swept as often, and leaves and fruit build up.

"Previously these roads would have been swept every week or fortnight, but now they are only swept about once every 12 weeks."

Dublin City Council has promised that the fallen fruit will be swept up, saying: "We include this area as often as possible during our leaves removal programme during the autumn and winter months."

hnews@herald.ie