You may well have wondered about the man to be seen ‘single-handedly’ (in both senses) picking up litter and rubbish around Sandymount, who was awarded a certificate from Lord Mayor Paddy Bourke, in recognition of his service to the community at SAMRA’s recent AGM.

Paddy Gilmartin was reared in Sandymount, with two brothers and three sisters, and his formal education was at Star of the Sea school. He was baptised in Westland Row, a fortnight after his birth in the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street as was the practice. Disabled from birth, instead of secondary school, his parents put him into St. Augustine’s of Blackrock, a residential institution with the John of God fathers as they wanted to secure his future.

However, Paddy did not like it, so his father took him out. He now lives in the old family home in Oaklands Park. Despite his disability, and with the use of only one of his hands, he manages very well with the aid of Meals on Wheels, supplied formerly by the nuns in Lakelands convent, and currently from Sir Patrick Duns. “They do a very good job,” he observes.

When asked what got him started, Paddy thinks he was influenced by a lady whom he’d see picking up litter in Sandymount, the late Mrs. McAuliffe, the chemist’s mother. He used to light the fire with paper that he had picked up, but stepped up collections with the arrival of the wheelie bins. He has a waiver on bin charges, so it makes sense to pick up the litter, as he can afford to put out a full bin every week while doing something useful, cleaning up the place. He regularly collects litter on his way to Pembroke Library and occasionally as far afield as O’Connell Street, saying he just wants to help with litter prevention. His slogan is ‘Keep Dublin Tidy’.

And what of his experiences? He is grateful to the man who stopped, got out of his car and gave him a litter-picker, which makes the job easier, although he washes his hands meticulously after collecting rubbish. He can’t pick up dog dirt and finds it disgusting, especially if he steps in it (it’s difficult enough for the able-bodied to deal with!).

He sometimes picks up broken traffic cones, and wishes that City Council workmen would remove them all when they finish a job. “How did you manage to carry a traffic cone?” I asked him. “I wheeled my black bin up to the cone and lifted it in,” was his reply. And when he came across a roll of carpet dumped by the crossing on Serpentine Avenue, he was able to carry it under his arm.

Paddy’s other pastimes are football and gardening– he will soon be continuing his hobby of selling plants. A regular at Residents’ Asssociation meetings, he is concerned about problems such as street crime and drugs. Paddy Gilmartin is grateful for the Lord Mayor’s certificate, and points out the importance of encouraging people to help their community.

Despite the negative response ‘It’s not mine’ when he has approached some people, he hopes his example will encourage others to do their bit. He cannot understand why more people don’t pick up litter, both to keep the place tidy and to set an example to the young. Considering that God gave most of us two hands, as well as eyes to see and appreciate a pleasant environment, he has a point.