More resources needed to tackle litter and dog fouling in Cork county

CALLS have been made for increased resources to aid efforts to tackle litter and dog fouling in Cork county.

Information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that Cork County Council issued 86 litter fines and six dog fouling fines in the first 10 months of 2023.

The data also showed Cork County Council collected €8,250 in litter fine payments in the same period.

Fianna Fáil councillor Seamus McGrath said enforcement is playing a major role in addressing the issues of litter and dog fouling.

However, he added that he would like to see a review of the rules for issuing fines to allow for greater enforcement, and increased resources used to tackle these issues.

“Litter and dog wardens try to be as active as possible on enforcement but I believe the rules around issuing fines is very restrictive and clearly needs to be reviewed as a matter of urgency,” Mr McGrath told .

“We also need to improve resources for this critical frontline service.”

The Echo revealed recently that Cork City Council has issued just one fine for dog fouling between January, 2022 and October, 2023.

Labour local election candidate Peter Horgan said: “Kerry County Council conducted 173 operations this year that resulted in 12 fines — still low but an insight to some proactively at least.

“It is an issue raised on every door I knock on and will only be resolved through a change in approach by a new bylaw and proactive method of tackling the issue,” Mr Horgan added.

In statements to The Echo, the city council has continuously cited what it describes as barriers to issuing fines, including a lack of eye-witnesses and a lack of witnesses willing to go to court.