DUBLIN, Ireland: Bank of Ireland has issued an apology after a significant oil spill at Kilbogget Park in south Dublin caused environmental damage and prompted the rescue of a swan family.

Wildlife responders are describing the incident, which took place last week near Cabinteely, as one of the most severe pollution events they have encountered.

Kildare Wildlife Rescue (KWR) removed two adult swans and four cygnets from the park, fearing the birds' health was at risk due to heavy contamination.

"This was one of the heaviest oil spills I've ever dealt with in 12 years of wildlife rescue," said Pearse Stokes, KWR's rescue coordinator. He called Kilbogget Park a "jewel in the crown" of south Dublin's biodiversity and said the fumes from the oil were unusually intense.

The local council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC), responded by deploying absorbent booms and pads to limit further pollution. They confirmed that the swans were removed with the help of their staff, volunteers, and KWR, and are now being cared for by the rescue centre.

The oil leak originated from a Bank of Ireland site in Cabinteely. The bank confirmed that it had acted quickly to contain the spill and said no further pollution had been detected.

"We sincerely apologise to the local community for the impact caused," a Bank of Ireland spokesperson said, adding that the bank is cooperating with the council and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the situation continues to be monitored.

Local councillor Dave O'Keeffe welcomed the apology but emphasized that the damage was more than symbolic. He said cleanup costs could run into the tens of thousands of euros and insisted that the local authority should not bear the financial burden.

"An apology is fine, but there's real environmental and financial damage here," he told PA. "The park had become a haven for biodiversity—with wild otters and a range of species—and that progress is now at risk."

O'Keeffe also raised public safety concerns, noting that the smell of diesel remained strong days after the spill. He said he would not advise walking dogs in the park until the cleanup had significantly progressed. "Even yesterday, the air was thick with the smell. Some wildlife experts doubt whether the swans can ever be safely returned," he added.

This is the second such incident Kildare Wildlife Rescue has responded to in recent days. Over the previous weekend, the group also rescued a swan family from another oil spill at a park pond in Kilminchy, Portlaoise.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio, Stokes explained the unique challenges of rescuing oiled wildlife, particularly in hot weather. He described the need for PPE, including masks and gowns, to protect rescuers from toxic fumes and chemical exposure. "The combination of heat and evaporating oil creates toxic conditions for both people and animals," he said.

Stokes also explained that rescued swans cannot be released until the pollution is fully cleared. Relocating them poses risks, as swans tend to return to their original nesting areas, potentially exposing themselves to contamination again. Keeping them in a rescue centre for too long, however, can also cause stress and harm, particularly for birds not accustomed to close human contact.

As cleanup efforts continue, officials and conservationists are urging a thorough investigation and long-term restoration plan to ensure Kilbogget Park's ecosystem can recover.

The broader issue of infrastructure safety and spill prevention has also been thrust into the spotlight, with environmental advocates calling for stricter oversight and emergency response protocols.