A MINIMUM of 42 bags of rubbish have been illegally dumped in the county in the last two weeks. The cleanup of such dumpings is costing the county council dearly. And street sweeping alone cost the council close to €1 million (€932,000) in 2011, the Limerick Post has learned, a figure Cllr Mary Jackman described as “a shocking waste of resources”. “We are carrying out cleanups at dawn every day and by the evenings the streets are in a dreadful state again,” said Cllr Mary Jackman who found 22 black sacks of rubbish dumped on the Mountshannon Road.
“Sacks of rubbish are also frequently dumped outside Milford Church and the Credit Union and this kind of activity is seriously impacting on tourism numbers and is so frustrating because despite a strong anti-littering campaign, we’re still dealing with this problem which is costing both Limerick city and county councils.”
Reporting the dumping of 15 bags of rubbish in Cahernorry in recent days, Cllr Eddie Wade said that TV sets, washing machines and cooking oil drums are being left on the side of the road
“This is ruining the beautiful countryside – it is a dirty, filthy habit and it’s hard to believe it still takes place in this day and age”.
Cllr John Egan reported a sighting of five bags of dirty nappies dumped on the side of the road.
The debate was sparked in light of a report on litter pollution in the county in 2011, which highlighted 1,585 pollution complaints logged with the environment section relating to illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles, waste and pollution during the year.
“Whatever the cost of clearing up after this dumping, to me it is too much”, Cllr Liam Galvin, FG, asserted.
Referring to the serious problem that rogue traders are causing, he said:
“They are dumping loads of tyres and chipper oil drums on forestry roads and scenic routes – there will have to be more education for the general public on the implications of dumping”.
The report revealed that 231 on-the-spot fines of €150 had been issued for littering in 2011 and 47 legal cases were initiated.
The council is continuing a programme of enforcement to control litter pollution, including CCTV cameras and checkpoints identifying illegal waste collectors.
