The Killarney Fire Brigade was called out to 14 bonfires during September and October which included three alerts to attend to bonfires on Halloween night.
The information was provided to Cllr John O’Donoghue who said it was a scandalous figure and an appalling water of times and resources for the emergency services.
Kerry County Council officials told Cllr O’Donoghue that each call-out costs in the region of €800.
Cllr Maura Healy-Rae said it was really stretching resources and the problems with fireworks arising in one estate in Killarney was relentless.
“It’s a living hell for the residents. Elderly people in their 70s and 80s are afraid to open their doors,” she told a meeting of Killarney Municipal District Council this Wednesday.
“It’s driving people insane,” she added.
Cllr Martin Grady, who is a fireman, revealed that one of the local brigade’s members was struck with a firework while attending a call-out in Ballyspillane at Halloween.
But, he said, he would never describe the first brigade call-out costs as a waste of resources.
Cllr Grady said firework were not the only issue as the has been a 47 per cent increase in gorse fires in the greater Muckross areas.
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