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Dangerous plant spotted on beaches after storms

Fingal County Council has urged extreme caution after the possible sighting of a dangerous and toxic plant on Leinster beaches.

There have been reports of Hemlock Water Dropwort washing up on Bettystown and Laytown beaches in County Meath, and the local authority fears the toxic plant may also be on Fingal beaches.

Toxic

The roots of this plant look similar to parsnips, but are highly toxic and should not be touched.

Those with pets and little children are warned to extremely careful, since even brushing against the plant can irritate skin.

Ingesting it can be severely dangerous for both people and animals, the local authority warns.

With recent high tides, winds, and swollen rivers, it’s likely these plants were uprooted from their usual habitats along the banks of waterways and shoreline. 

Anyone spotting a Hemlock Water Dropwort is asked to report it to customercareunit@fingal.ie