Cork council seeks power to name and shame litter louts

Litter louts in Co Cork could soon face a doubling of fines for dumping their rubbish as well as being named and shamed in the media.

Cork County Council is writing to the Government seeking permission to up the ante in the battle against those who “are blighting the landscape”.

It comes after Cllr John Paul O’Shea won widespread backing for a motion that the council ask the minister for housing, planning, community and local government to beef up the Litter Pollution Act 1997. He said this legislation should be amended to allow the council to increase the on-the-spot fine of €150 to €300 for leaving or throwing litter in a public place.