Call for people convicted of illegal dumping to do litter clean-ups following 'epidemic' in North Cork

North Cork councillors seek new powers, tougher fines and community service penalties to deter a surge in illegal dumping

Councillors representing the North Cork area are to write to the Department of Environment asking if there is scope for legislation changes to fight the unprecedented dumping levels in the region. File picture

The Government is to be urged to introduce community service orders to get people convicted of illegal dumping to undertake litter clean-ups and face stiffer fines following an “epidemic” of dumping in recent weeks.

Councillors representing the North Cork area are to write to the Department of Environment asking if there is scope for legislation changes to fight the growing issue following unprecedented dumping levels in the region.

Fianna Fail councillor Ian Doyle said: “Over Christmas, there was an epidemic of it.” 

He said dumping in a number of areas on the outskirts of his hometown of Charleville had been “unbelievable”, adding it was not just small items that were being deposited.

Mr Doyle said it was time the council installed covert cameras at known blackspot dumping areas in an effort to catch the culprits.

Both he and Charleville-based Fine Gael councillor Aileen Browne said there was systematic dumping of large amount of waste in bags at roadsides, and not just fly-tipping from car windows.

Ms Browne urged people with dashcam footage of those responsible for roadside littering to provide it to the council so the perpetrators could be pursued.

Municipal district chairman, Fianna Fail councillor Gearóid Murphy said illegal dumping was even more obvious now because of the winter die-back of growth along verges and dykes.

Fine Gael councillor Tony O’Shea said he had recently received a lot of calls from the public about bags of rubbish dumped in dykes and at the entrances to forestry.

He said council officials needed to go house to house and find out if people pay for legitimate rubbish collection and, if they do not, how are they disposing of waste.

Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden said at two areas along the N20 Cork — Limerick road south of Mallow a number of bags had been left as if they were for collection, but it was illegal dumping.

“We need to get tougher and publicly name the culprits when caught. The fines also need to be larger to make it a real deterrent,” he said.

Ms Browne then suggested community service litter picking should also be introduced as an added deterrent.

Mr Murphy, a barrister, said this was a good idea as it was “restorative justice". He and other councillors unanimously agreed to write to the Department of the Environment with the request for legislation to support such a move through the courts.

“It might require legislative change, but it's certainly worth exploring with the department,” Mr Murphy added.

Council officials said they would refer the request for covert camera use to their environment directorate.