Litterlouts ‘must be shopped’

THE public has been urged to “shop” litter louts dumping in rural areas.

The call was made by the county manager in Cork, Martin Riordan.

It came amid claims that indiscriminate dumping was “getting out of hand”.

The manager made his views known after Councillor Tomas Ryan reported two incidents in recent days, near the village of Dripsey, which really angered him.

Mr Ryan said a lot of rubbish had been deliberately dumped into a drain on the outskirts of the village. A local person had given him the registration number of the offending truck.

The councillor said he reported the incident to council staff, but claimed: “There’s been no action.”

Furthermore, four settees had been dumped by a farmer’s gate and the councillor claimed no action had been taken in that matter.

The county manager said the problem of illegal operators dumping waste around the countryside was not easy to combat.

Councillor Deirdre Forde (FF) said it was time that a major debate was held by the council as to how they would tackle the problem.

Meanwhile, Carrigaline-based councillor John A Collins (FG) proposed that an existing annual permit, costing €1,200 to dispose of waste, be divided into monthly installments as some one-man operators were finding it hard to pay the lump sum.

The county manager said he would oppose the suggestion as it would lead to administrative difficulties.