Council urged to tackle fly tippers
Install cameras - local authority executive told
Cavan County Council has been urged to install cameras at litter black spots in a bid to clamp down on illegal dumping. The call came at a meeting of the Cavan Belturbet Municipal District authority.
The issue of illegal dumping was raised by Cllr Patricia Walsh (FF). “I know the work that our staff are doing within the Waste Management Department. They clear up an area but, within a matter of days, it is as bad again. I proposed the installation of cameras and that we come down hard on the people that are doing this. The Tidy Towns, the residents and staff are doing an excellent job but it's a waste of time if the dumping continues.”
At the meeting Cllr Walsh told members of instances where local authority staff conducted clean up operations at litter black spots only for the same sites to be targeted again by illegal dumpers. The Fianna Fáil elected representative said such areas should be monitored by cameras to catch the perpetrators. Cllr Walsh went so far as to say that people dumping on country roads and lanes should be jailed.
The councillor claimed such actions undermine the efforts of Tidy Towns volunteers across the county who give so much of their time trying to improve their area. Cllr Walsh highlighted a particular problem with illegal waste at vacant houses attracting rats.
Cllr Peter McVitty (FG) added his voice to the motion saying the behaviour of some illegal dumpers “beggars belief”. He spoke of a particular instance at Drumcrow Road, Butlersbridge, and said action was necessary to stamp out the problem.
Cllr Sean Smith said that, whereas the majority of people take responsibility for their waste, there were “a certain amount of people who will do anything to save a sixpence”.
He added: “We need new thinking because this is a serious problem.”
Director of Services Brendan Jennings said: “Some people have no respect for their environment, their neighbours or the local authority. The local authority has a role to play in this, even in terms of education, but there is a resource issue.”
Council engineer Paul Mulligan said the behaviour of many illegal dumpers was highly offensive. He told the members of an incident in which an illegal dumper at a bottle bank site walked up to the camera after illegally disposing of rubbish and waved at the camera.