Watch: Concerns over 'travesty unfolding' on one of Mayo's most popular beaches
Video footage has emerged showing a travesty unfolding in plain sight at Keel Strand, Achill, due to unregulated wild camping which is destroying one of Ireland’s rarest coastal habitats.
The images reveal the remains of illegal fires set directly on protected Machair grassland, just metres from a Blue Flag beach, alongside rubbish and waste left behind.
This is an ongoing issue that has been worsening for years.
Despite repeated warnings from local people, Mayo County Council has taken no meaningful action.
There is still no signage, no warden presence and no enforcement.
A concerned member of the local community, Helen Calvey, who captured the video, told The Connaught Telegraph: "The Machair is protected under EU law, yet in Keel it remains protected on-paper, burned in reality.
"This is not minor damage, it is the slow destruction of a habitat that cannot be replaced.
"Allowing this to continue is a failure of stewardship and a betrayal of the very protections we claim to value."
The story is attracting a strong reaction of social media with the following commehts made on The Connaught Telegraph's Facebook page.
Carol Ferson: Shocking, basic manners taking your rubbish with you!! 😢
Seamus Giblin: Very unlikely to be the motorhomes or caravans who are respectful visitors and the majority of businesses want visiting.
It is likely caused by the same calibre of people who litter everywhere they go in this beautiful country and have little or no regard for our environment. Unfortunately its not a problem unique to keel.
Lucy Williams: People should have a sense of respect for their country, the law of the land.
It is shameful the way they behave, no fear for the authority. Are they rebellious?
Gallagher Allen: They camp up at all hours of the night,s o putting a warden on the beach will not work, unless 24 hours, just need to block it off completely.
Catherine Redmond: Christ why would you camp in such a beautiful spot and then walk away and leave it like that.
Donna McManamon: So sad, if only they could learn a little respect for our village.
Marion Foye: Hard to understand people who choose to enjoy this beautiful spot also not wanting to protect its beauty! Heartbreaking.
Niall Duffy: This is shocking. I used to visit this beach and surrounding area as a child and an adult. I don't remember this being an issue. It was always pristine.
I'm only after returning from Canada. Been there for a month no problems anywhere with this behaviour.
Sad to see this. Needs to be more enforcement or education.
Patricia Dooley: You would ask yourself what is their homes like. No wonder we have environmental issues. If this behaviour continues it will become a public health issue to.
This practice is treason towards your country. Anyone caught doing it should be charged as such.
Lorna Woods: Leave NO trace. Should be named and shamed! Disgusting behaviour to leave a beauty spot like this and expect others to clear their mess!
Frances Shortall: That's disgusting and disgraceful..