Another disgraceful incident of illegal dumping in the Drogheda area has been exposed.
This time it happened over the weekend behind the shops in the Bryanstown area of Drogheda, off the Dublin Road following recents incidents in Baltray and Termonfeckin.
Councillor James Byrne was tipped off about it by angry local residents and published pictures of the rubbish on social media.
He said it is disgraceful behavior and those responsible need to be found and punished.
Cllr Byrne fumed:” The dumping behind Bryanstown shops was yet another shocking incident of dumping by individuals who simply don’t care for their community or the environment around them. Their blatant disregard is taking up scarce Council resources and these people must be held to account.”
The litter Wardens in County Louth completed 140 investigations into illegal dumping in recent months.
Fourteen fixed penalty notices were issued where evidence was found under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 – a success rate of just 10%.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to catch the culprits because they are leaving less evidence behind in their rubbish to track them down.
Louth County Council secured one conviction for illegal dumping lately with a fine by the court on the defendants of €300 plus €500 in expenses even though the maximum fine for the offence is €1,900.
Cllr Byrne added: “It is getting more difficult in my opinion for the Litter Wardens as people who engage in littering and dumping are more careful about leaving any evidence behind linking them to these despicable acts.”
It has now emerged Louth County Council is to install CCTV cameras at known litter blackspots across Drogheda, Dundalk and Ardee as part of a new crackdown against the illegal dumpers.
Cllr Byrne said he would urge the Council officials to roll the cameras out in multiple locations.
He added: “This is the best way to deter this type of illegal activity – and those who do it need to know they will be caught and financially punished.”
