CCTV needed to catch dumpers at Butler's Bridge
Illegal dumping between Belmont Bridge and Ladestown and at Butler’s Bridge was raised again at the April meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad. Members called for CCTV cameras to help catch the culprits who are destroying the good work done by locals in cleaning up those areas.
The mayor, Cllr Aoife Davitt, warned that properties will be flooded and water sources and livestock will be endangered because of dumping in drains there. It’s like groundhog day for the locals who are out there all the time cleaning up and it is a waste of taxpayers’ money, she said.
Cllr Ken Glynn spoke of the fantastic work being done by locals in the Butler’s Bridge area, but said they are frustrated by ongoing illegal dumping. He condemned the "blatant disregard by a small cohort who are dumping there", and called for action to catch the culprits, including CCTV cameras.
"Go to town with cameras and bring these people to court – if you blitz an area you will stop it," Cllr Andrew Duncan said. "Concentrate resources in an area for four to six weeks and you will stamp it out, it won’t stop unless someone is prosecuted in court."
Cllr Hazel Smyth said CCTV camera use would be permissible soon when legislation is passed in the Dáil. In the meantime, she suggested, the council should embark on an educational campaign on the effects illegal dumping has on everyone and on wildlife.
"Name and shame!" said Cllr Emily Wallace. She called for a pilot scheme in certain areas to combat this "despicable" crime.
Central government has tied the hands of local authorities because they haven’t brought in the necessary legislation, complained Cllr Mick Dollard. He gave out about the way the green bank at St Colman’s NS is left every weekend. "We spend over €500,000 a year on litter control, but we need legislation to allow for use of mobile CCTV cameras and to get cases into court – that’s the only way to address it," he said.
Put someone on duty to go through the bags of rubbish each week and find receipts or bills identifying the culprits, suggested Cllr Bill Collentine. It wouldn’t cost much, he remarked.
Cllr Wallace said that people need to go with registered contractors when they are clearing out their houses and cheap does not mean best choice.
Director of services, David Jones, assured the members that "we are all of the same mind" and that the council had no hesitation in going the legal route, but they had to get evidence.
He hoped that legislation would go through the Dáil soon enabling them to use CCTV to tackle illegal dumping.