Call for heftier fines for dumping

The "sad" and recurring issue of illegal dumping was raised by Cllr Patricia Walsh at the most recent meeting of the Cavan-Belturbet MD.

Cllr Walsh said that elected representatives have been getting calls from “everyone” about dumping down alleyways and on side roads, with black rubbish bags collecting at vacant houses and in the alleyways between such properties around parts of the county.

At this time of year, she lamented, rats are also more likely to appear where rubbish is left lying.

The Fianna Fáil councillor acknowledged the work of Maria Morgan, community warden with Cavan County Council, and Tidy Towns and resident groups across the county, who go places that “no one will go to” to keep their communities clean, which “shouldn’t be happening”.

The Cavan town councillor said the local authority should “come down hard” on dumpers and proposed heftier fines for those carrying out illegal dumping as it is not fair on people who have lived in their areas for many years and are suffering the consequences.

The problem, she said, is “all over the place” and nothing is going to change until people are fined for their actions.

Cllr Damien Brady supported the motion, adding that it is an issue he has raised since he was first elected.

Praising the “great work” being done by groups across the county, the Sinn Féin councillor described illegal dumping as a "tough" problem to solve, and remarked that they’re “not winning the battle”.

The problem, he said, can arise in council housing estates when vacant houses become dumping grounds, and that it would be best to keep gardens tidy, even after houses are vacated as a “huge amount” of rubbish can accumulate.

In response, Cllr Walsh further suggested if it would be possible for council estates to have designated bin collection services that could be added on to rent payments because “if people have bins, they’ll use them”. She also said that people should ask for receipts when bringing rubbish to be dumped.

Also acknowledging the “great work” of Tidy Towns groups across the county, MD Chair, Cllr John Paul Feeley supported the motion, and said there is no excuse for illegal dumping as it is “very easy to dispose of waste properly”.

The Fianna Fáil councillor said that bring centres occasionally accept larger items for disposal, and that the correct disposal of waste in the likes of Ballyconnell Recycling Centre is “as quick” as dumping illegally, given that items will have to be brought somewhere anyway.

Fianna Fáil’s Áine Smith also supported the motion, as did Fine Gael’s Niamh Brady.

Responding to the issues raised, Brendan Jennings, Director of Services, Planning, Rural and Community Development, and Tourism with Cavan County Council said that the damage being done is “not acceptable” and there are an “awful lot of options” available for waste disposal in the county. He committed to pass on all issues highlighted to the Waste Management Division of the council.

Praise for gardaí

Cllr Walsh also raised the issue of antisocial behaviour, which she had earlier raised in June. Since then, she said, things have “changed,” thanks to “visible policing” under the new “community-orientated” Superintendent Gavin O’Reilly.

“Keep up the good work,” she said.