Legislative changes sought to tackle 'epidemic' of illegal dumping in Cork 

The Government will be urged to introduce community service orders to compel those convicted of illegal dumping to help clean up litter blackspots.

Referring to an “epidemic” of illegal dumping in recent weeks, councillors in North Cork are to write to the Department of Environment asking if there is scope for legislative changes to fight the problem.

Fianna Fáil councillor Ian Doyle said that there had been an epidemic of littering over Christmas. 

He said dumping on the outskirts of his hometown of Charleville had been “unbelievable”, and it “wasn’t just small stuff” that was being dumped.

Mr Doyle the council should install covert cameras at known dumping blackspots in an effort to catch the culprits.

Both he and Fine Gael councillor Aileen Browne said there is systematic dumping of large amounts of waste in bags at roadsides.

Obvious

Municipal district chairman, Fianna Fáil councillor Gearóid Murphy, said illegal dumping was even more obvious now because of the winter die-back of growth along verges and dykes.

Fine Gael councillor Tony O’Shea said he had recently received a lot of calls from the public about bags of rubbish dumped in dykes and at the entrances to forestry.

Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden said bags had been left as if they were for collection at two areas along the N20, but it was illegal.

Ms Browne suggested community service litter picking should also be introduced as an added deterrent.

Mr Murphy , a barrister, said this is a good idea, as it is “restorative justice”. He added: “It might require legislative change, but it’s certainly worth exploring with the department.” 

He and other councillors unanimously agreed to write to the Department of the Environment with the request for legislation to support such a move through the courts.

Council officials said they would refer the request for covert camera use to their environment directorate.

In the meantime, they urged people who spot those involved in it to immediately contact the council.