Extra CCTV cameras to be installed at fly-tipping blackspots

Extra covert cameras are to be erected at fly-tipping blackspots throughout Co Cork in a county council bid to eliminate illegal dumping.

In addition, the local authority’s waste enforcement section is preparing to send personnel out to households, to seek proof as to what waste disposal provider they use.

The two initiatives are being undertaken to deal with the current high levels of illegal dumping and the possibility that problems will exacerbate if pay-by-weight charges increase.

Sharon Corcoran, head of the council’s environment directorate, said the county council already had specialist units dedicated to cleaning up fly-tipping areas and personnel had reported some areas were being repeatedly abused by dumpers.

She said such areas, in particular, would be targeted by covert CCTV which could also be used at night.

“The CCTV will enable us to take car numbers which will allow us to prosecute perpetrators. We rarely, if ever, get evidence to the identity of the culprits from the bags of waste they throw away,” Ms Corcoran said.

She said people will be asked to produce receipts from civic amenity sites and private waste collectors to prove they are disposing of rubbish legally.

Meanwhile, she revealed the Government had decided the council will not have to get weighing equipment operational for black bag waste at its 11 civic amenity sites until February 1.

Ms Corcoran had previously said the council could not have computerised weighing systems in operation in time for the now on-hold introduction of new pay-by-weight regulations.

She said there were pilot projects on two different weighing systems under way at two civic amenity sites in Co Tipperary.

Cork County Council would, she said, employ the best system.

Currently, the council charges €3 for admission to a civic amenity centre and an additional charge for litter weighed on site.

Under the proposed new guidelines, when pay-by-weight is introduced at the sites the same entry charge will still apply, but a €4 charge — at some locations — will be scrapped in favour of a 11c per kilo charge for ordinary waste and 6c per kilo for food waste.

Fianna Fáil councillor Frank O’Flynn said he welcomed additional CCTV cameras as people were illegally dumping waste outside bottlebanks.

Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy, meanwhile, insisted: “We must prosecute these people. We must name and shame them.”