Council urged to tackle dumping and dog fouling

WIDESPREAD concerns over illegal dumping and dog fouling have been expressed by local councillors in Athlone.

The concerns, from several councillors, came as the Draft Litter Management Plan for Westmeath County Council for the next two years was discussed this week.

The draft will shortly go for public consultation and the public are invited to submit their views.

A meeting of Athlone Municipal District heard on Monday that illegal dumping is a main issue in Westmeath.

The Mayor of Athlone Municipal District Councillor John Dolan said everyone seems to have encountered illegal dumping.

“How are we going to tackle that?” he asked. “We can have all the laws and all the plans but if there is a law that’s not being enforced or a plan that’s not being enforced, what’s the point?”.

He said that one way of tackling illegal dumping could be to ask people who pay to dispose of their rubbish to keep their receipts.

He said that dog foul is another major problem.
Cllr Michael O’Brien (Independent) said that an additional warden would have an impact. “We should be investing in a litter warden,” he told the meeting.

Moate, he said, is “covered in dog foul” and he suggested that plastic dispensers be used in an effort to combat this.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Aengus O’Rourke said he was “blue in the face” raising the issue of dog foul.

“There seems to be complacency there in relation to dog fouling,” he said. “For the past two years I’ve been asking the council to publicise the freephone number. Does anyone know it? The 1850 number I have doesn’t connect.”
Senior Executive Engineer in the Environment Section of Westmeath County Council Ciaran Jordan said all the points raised by the councillors were noted, adding: “We will try to stitch them into the plan.”

Cllr Paul Hogan (Sinn Féin) proposed that a cardboard recycling receptacle be provided at all glass recycling units. Mr Jordan replied: “We will look at it. I’m not sure if a cardboard recycling receptacle is the solution.”

Cllr Tom Farrell (Fine Gael) proposed that smart bins – which have been trialled in some of the larger urban local authorities – be considered. However, the council, in a written response, stated: “The use of smart bins is not deemed to be viable.”