Latest news with #LitterPollutionAct1997
Irish Independent
11-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Latest case of illegal dumping slammed as Louth County Council targets litter blackspots with CCTV
James Byrne said it is "disgraceful behavior" and those responsible need to be found and punished. There was all sorts of rubbish dumped late last week, and local people and the council are once again left to sort the mess out. Cllr Byrne said, "The dumping behind Bryanstown shops was yet another shocking incident of dumping by individuals who simply don't care for their community or the environment around them. Their blatant disregard is taking up scarce council resources, and these people must be held to account." He revealed that in July, litter wardens completed 140 investigations in Co. Louth in response to dumping reported by members of the public. Fourteen fixed penalty notices were issued where evidence was found under the Litter Pollution Act 1997—a success rate of just 10%. Cllr Byrne isn't blaming the litter wardens; he said the problem is the dumpers are getting far cleverer and are not leaving any evidence that will trace back to them. Louth County Council secured one conviction for illegal dumping in recent times with a fine by the court on the defendants of €300 plus €500 in expenses, even though the maximum fine for the offence is €1,900. He stated, "It is getting more difficult in my opinion for the litter wardens, as people who engage in littering and dumping are more careful about leaving any evidence behind linking them to these despicable acts." Now, the County Council, in a new crackdown on illegal dumpers, is to try out CCTV cameras at known blackspots across Drogheda, Dundalk, and Ardee. Cllr Byrne said he would urge the council officials to roll the cameras out in multiple locations. He added, "This is the best way to deter this type of illegal activity—and those who do it need to know they will be caught and financially punished." The Baltray road has also been regularly hit with illegal dumping, along with parts of Termonfeckin from time to time. Local councillors are determined to stop illegal dumpers and undermine the wonderful work the Drogheda Tidy Towns group is doing.
Irish Independent
12-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Three successful Tipperary prosecutions for litter and illegal dumping so far this year
The figures were released in Tipperary County Council's management report for June, which was circulated to councillors ahead of the June plenary meeting. So far in 2025, there were three successful convictions, with one under the Waste Management Act and two under the Litter Pollution Act. In the Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel Municipal District (MD), an individual was prosecuted for the illegal dumping of bags of waste in remote area of the Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel MD under the Waste Management Act of 1996. In this case, the judge imposed a €500 penalty and €750 in costs following the testimony of the Environmental Enforcement Officer. Elsewhere in the county, another individual was successfully prosecuted in court under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 for their failure to pay a litter fine of €150 following the discovery of discarded waste in the Nenagh MD area by the Environmental Enforcement Officer. In this case, the judge imposed a €250 penalty and €250 in costs following the testimony of the Environmental Enforcement Officer. Finally, a third individual was prosecuted, also under the Litter Pollution Act, in Thurles for failing to pay a litter fine of €150 following the discovery of two bags of discarded waste by the Environmental Enforcement Officer. In that case, the judge imposed a €500 penalty and €400 in costs following the testimony of the Enforcement Officer. So far this year, there have also been three cases that have been recommended to be prosecuted under the Waste Management Act. A further two cases are awaiting a trial date, and have been deferred to later this month.
