Council staff being trained in drone use to catch dumpers

Drones are to be part of the arsenal that Westmeath County Council intends using in the war on illegal dumping across the county.

At the October meeting of the council, the cathaoirleach, Cllr Liam McDaniel, asked for confirmation that staff are being trained in the use of drones for that purpose and asked if it was the intention that they act as a deterrent or would footage be used as evidence in prosecutions.

Senior environmental engineer Ciarán Jordan said the devices can be used for evidence gathering: in a recent prosecution, a culprit convicted as a result of drone footage received a custodial sentence.

Mr Jordan said that at present, staff in the council’s environment section and in the municipal district are being trained in use of drones.

"Where drones come into play particularly is for remote locations," he said, adding that council staff will be using the drones to get a view of locations they can’t normally see from the road.

Cllr Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran thanked the council staff for all the work they do in cleaning up the rubbish that ends up dumped illegally around the county. He said no one should have to do what they do and those guilty of engaging in illegal dumping should be ashamed of themselves.