CRITICISM OF WASTE DUMPING IN LOUTH
A number of illegal dumping incidents in scenic Louth locations were reported over the festive season.
Several mattresses were tipped along the north Louth coastline at Whitestown, ahead of New Year’s Eve, which one local councillor described as ‘disgusting’
Cllr. Antoin Watters said he had reported the issue to the council, and awaited the mattresses being removed. ‘Disgusting but nothing surprises me anymore,’ he added.
Meanwhile, a number of bags of domestic waste were found dumped in another coastal viewing spot, at Lynns, Annagassan.
Illegal dumping continues to be major challenge for local authorities around the country.
In Louth, the council are pursuing number of offenders through the courts, with a spokesperson confirming there are a number of Waste Management Act related cases going through the District Court, Circuit Court (appeals and DPP case) and the High Court at present.
Litter enforcement remains a key strategy, and the latest figures showed a total of 38 fines were issued in the month of November. Of these fines, three were issued in the Dundalk urban area, 30 in Drogheda urban area and five in the remaining County wide area.
The dumping of diesel laundering waste has also been a significant challenge Diesel. The council’s environment section confirmed by end of November 2020, a total of 157 IBC’s were discovered, and removed, at a cost of €196,023 approximately.
‘MyWaste Surveys are ongoing to establish the level of compliance with Waste Presentation byelaws, these will be followed up with an information campaign to inform the public of their responsibilities in relation to domestic waste.’