COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

QUESTION NO. 7

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed report into what measures are being put in place to contain the white-clawed crayfish plague outbreak at Corkagh Park lakes and the Camac. When will these measures be put in place?

REPLY:

SDCC were first informed on the 03/06/2026 that the crayfish plague had been detected in the River Camac at Corkagh Park.

SDCC have: 

• liaised with the lead authority, NPWS and other relevant authorities to curtail this plague.
• information signage installed at Corkagh Park and along the Camac.
• informed local groups along the Camac.
• Public Realm and Natural Water staff have completed toolbox talks on the plague and how to prevent it's spread.  They are restricting their interaction along the Camac and Corkagh lakes and have disinfectant sprays for their equipment to prevent the spread of the plague to other rivers, watercourses and further upstream of the Camac itself.
• SDCC comms/social media message went out to as soon as we were informed by NPWS to inform the public of the disease and to inform them of the 'Check, Clean, Dry' message.
• Further signage, 'Check, Clean, Dry' is being erected along the canal and the Griffeen to prevent further spreading of the disease.
• The Heritage Officer has completed an article for 'The Echo' reiterating the 'Check, Clean, Dry' message.
• SDCC are continuing to liaise and work with NPWS to prevent the spread.  Further river monitoring and testing is being carried out by NPWS to identify the extent of the outbreak.

Please note that this disease is not transferable to humans or pets.