Should DCC close Bull Island?

I'm giving my opinion, whether others agree or disagree is irrelevant.

Arguing, where?

Seriously ? Educate yourself . It has been created over the last couple of hundred years .

It's a Nature Reserve

• Nature Reserve Status: Designated to protect its unique coastal ecosystems and wildlife.

• UNESCO Site: It is a core part of the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere Reserve.

• Location: Situated on the north side of Dublin Bay, featuring the 5-kilometer Dollymount Strand.

Protection: It was the first official bird sanctuary in Ireland. to protect its unique coastal ecosystems and wildlife.

• UNESCO Site: It is a core part of the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere Reserve.
• Location: Situated on the north side of Dublin Bay, featuring the 5-kilometer Dollymount Strand.
• Protection: It was the first official bird sanctuary in Ireland.

Recreation: Popular for walking, birdwatching, and golf (two courses are located on the island).

• Dublin City Council +5

"Internationally important numbers of waterfowl and wading birds overwinter on the islands salt marshes, tidal lagoons and mudflats. In the summer, the dunes on the island provide crucial habitat for ground nesting birds, including Skylark, Stonechats, and Meadow Pipit. Under the Wildlife Acts 1976, it is a prosecutable offence to intentionally disturb, injure, or destroy protected species, including their habitats."

Everything that has been said previously .

Cycle on the cycle paths built for the purpose all over the city and country . And the road on the North Bull .

Dogs can be off lead on any place not designated a nature reserve or part of a UNESCO biosphere . Nobody is saying shut the island just for people to try and co exist with and have respect for nature

No argument with that .

It was before it became part of the UNESCO Biosphere and before there was recognition of endangered flora and fauna however.

Sure people used to drive on to multiple beaches and mountains and bogs etc where they would not be allowed to in recent years .

Just because you did something 60 years ago does not confer that right in perpetuity .

Nobody has a problem with dogs running off leash on the beach.

More like 'a causeway too far'.

It's the practicalities of dog control in that environment by a council who have opened the North Bull to motorised access that's so ridiculous.

I just don't see Bay Watch dog wardens riding quad bikes. It would be highly entertaining though.

Or a barrister.

That's clearly not Bull Island as it refers to a housing development…

How did private individuals obtain title to land that didn't even exist 200 years ago and was created by the actions of the government?

I think there were a lot of first time dog owners during Covid, and there was a significant and sustained increase in abandoned dogs in Ireland following the pandemic. That means there are a lot of six-year-old dogs around with people who didn’t abandon them, but who may never have bothered with a dog otherwise and may not have realised the responsibilities of modern dog ownership.

Edit - not excusing their actions one bit and if it keeps up a ban should probably be introduced.

Probably a good compromise. A further compromise could be wooden walkways over the salt marshes and dune system introduced so people can visit without harming. I've seen them in other countries in sensitive areas for beach access.