Socialists face hefty fine over ‘littering’ city with posters

THE Socialist Party in Cork may be hit with a hefty fine under the Litter Pollution Act following claims it illegally plastered posters on St Patrick’s Street’s new lamps.

Cllr Mick Barry, the party’s representative on Cork City Council, was severely criticised for the postering activity at a council meeting on Monday.

Labour Cllr John Kelleher raised the issue and said he saw two members of the Party pasting posters to the lamps advertising a Deputy Joe Higgins lecture.

“I did it myself 30 years ago before it was illegal,” Mr Kelleher said.

But he said it was a disgrace that public property was defaced like this.

“There I was on our main street, the place packed with tourists - and this was happening during our year of culture,” he said.

He asked Mr Barry for a commitment that his Party would not poster Cork’s main street again.

But Mr Barry, who has been very vocal in his opposition to the city’s slow response to the collection of illegally dumped rubbish, stopped short of giving such a commitment.

“We’ll stop postering not just St Patrick’s Street, but the entire city, when a municipal notice board is installed in the city,” he said.

Councillors reacted angrily to his statement. “It’s an absolute disgrace,” City manager Joe Gavin said.

He asked Mr Kelleher to supply details so the council could pursue the issue.

Postering of public property is prohibited under the Litter Pollution Act 1997-2003 unless prior written approval of owner of the property is secured.

“But the council never gives such permission,” a council spokesman said.

Penalties for illegal postering include a €125 on the spot fine with a maximum of €3,000 for a conviction.

Election and referendum postering is exempt but they must be removed within seven days of the election.

However, the spokesman said the council cannot prosecute if the posters are removed within seven days.