Wardens to search bags in bid to catch illegal dumpers

LITTER wardens are to comb through scores of refuse bags to see if there are any clues to the identities of those who discarded them illegally on the roadside on the outskirts of Cork.

The “substantial dump” was discovered by a shocked Fianna Fáil TD on a quiet road between Shanbally and Ringaskiddy.

Michael McGrath described it as “the worst case of illegal dumping” he had seen in recent years.

“The old road between Shanbally and Ringaskiddy is now strewn with litter and black bags of domestic rubbish.

“The road is now a truly terrible sight, and it is certainly a health and safety hazard for local residents because it has attracted rats,” he said.

The Cork TD said a lot of the rubbish discarded there was recyclable and he suspected many of those dumping may be entitled to a refuse waiver, so there was no excuse whatsoever for this behaviour.

“It beggars belief why some people think it is acceptable in a civilised society to dump their rubbish at the side of the road in this way,” the deputy said.

He said he would be asking Cork County Council to clean up the road and to introduce a more rigorous enforcement regime in Shanbally and across the county.

The mini dump is in an isolated area close to very few houses and the road is not lit up at night.

Mr McGrath believes this is why it has become amagnet for litter louts.

“It seems to me that the local authorities are losing the battle against litter and illegal dumping. Some people now believe they can dump their rubbish with impunity and that the risk of getting caught is negligible.

“If we can’t aggressively tackle this issue, we have no prospect of developing the tourist industry to its full potential,” he said.

The council’s litter wardens will be asked to see if they can identify the illegal dumpers from correspondence left in bags.

“I have asked the Minister for the Environment to lead a concerted, nationwide campaign against litter and illegal dumping,” Mr McGrath said.