CALLS have been made for increased fines for people caught dumping rubbish illegally in the county. Cllr Damien Reidy (FG) made the call at a meeting this week of Limerick County Council.
He said that illegal dumping is making a comeback, particularly in rural areas. “The maximum penalty is €3,000 and it is not being enforced. These people should be named and shamed – we should show zero tolerance,” he told the meeting.
In agreement, Cllr Francis Foley (FF) said illegal dumping is costing the council a fortune and asked whether the council officials had any update on his request for a waiver of waste-disposal fees for community groups that will be involved in the coming community cleanup week?
Cllr Eddie Wade (FF) said that fly tippers “are getting very smart. They’re taking all evidence out of the bags – you won’t find names and addresses to prosecute them and to avoid being seen, dumpers are throwing bags from moving cars and strewing all along the roads”.
In reply to Cllr Reidy’s request, council officials said that the cost of a fine is set by the Minister for the Environment and once a conviction for dumping is secured in court, the fine is then at the discretion of the judge.
