CCTV cameras needed to tackle illegal dumping at Cork city estate 

CCTV cameras detected more than 100 people illegally dumping in one northside estate during a four-month period last year, but Cork City Council was unable to identify any of them.

Ongoing issues with illegal dumping in Orchard Court Estate in Blackpool
have been highlighted by residents and local politicians on many occasions, and investigations into people dumping there are ongoing.

Recently, a leather armchair, a bedframe, a mattress, and multiple shopping trolleys were dumped, alongside other smaller litter, in the estate, which is beside the Bride River, where waste is also often dumped.

A council spokesperson told The Echo that its cleansing section collect the waste at the location regularly, and the council is therefore aware of the issues at this site.

“In relation to the latest waste complaint, waste was collected, but not before it was searched for evidence,” they said.

“As a result, we found evidence leading to five individuals. The council is processing this information and will issue fines.”

Fine Gael TD Colm Burke last week said the ongoing issues with dumping were a mixture of residents who don’t have bins so can only dispose of waste illegally, and people coming from elsewhere in Cork to dump their rubbish.

He called for cameras to be installed, saying they are the only way to track down illegal dumpers as they can read a car registration plate and identify someone.

A resident of the area said there were previously CCTV cameras there which reduced the amount of dumping and suggested these should be reinstalled.

The council spokesperson confirmed that Cork City Council had CCTV cameras at the site, and that they were operating from August 5 to December 19 last year.

The cameras recorded 103 incidents of littering/dumping. “However, all were walk-ups and as a result could not be identified,” they said.

The spokesperson added that 63 properties in Blackpool and the surrounding areas, including some in Orchard Court, are currently being investigated to see if they have a refuse collection service.