Communities must crack down on illegal dumping, councillor says
Cllr Jim Daly praised villagers in Drimoleague for setting an example to others in their plans to crack down on offenders.
The Fine Gael councillor assured the public that the county council would “be more than glad to assist with prosecutions.”
Scores of locals turned up at a public meeting in Drimoleague to show their disgust at people involved in the dumping of household waste close to a recycling bank in the village’s Railway Yard.
“The solution to this plague is firmly within the power of every community,” said Mr Daly. He said other towns and villages in the coastal region, which has a high profile tourism image, should follow the example of Drimoleague.
Mary Goggin, secretary of the local tidy towns committee, said great annoyance and frustration was expressed at the meeting against people who dumped rubbish and household waste in a public area with no respect, for the rest of the community.
She said signs would be erected and the recycling units monitored by volunteers.
“The community is determined to eradicate this problem,” she said.
The tidy towns committee secretary said appreciation was also expressed for the recycling facility provided by the council and for the great enthusiasm and work put in by the area litter warden, Teddy Brown. “Litter fines have already been issued in Drimoleague in the past but a change of attitude is what we want to see with each household taking on responsibility,” she added.
Mr Daly commended locals who voiced their anger at the continuing abuse of the recycling facilities in the village.
“Speaker after speaker condemned and questioned the actions of this senseless minority who display a blatant disrespect for the local community,” he said. “Time for action has come in this village with the residents deciding to take the responsibility for sorting out the problem.”
A new monitoring committee, he said, will supervise the recycling facilities, while also erecting signs and posters to create awareness among the wider community.
