Councillor highlights further evidence of illegal dumping in Athlone

Cllr. Frankie Keena has once again vented his anger and annoyance this week at the illegal dumping crisis that has engulfed the Athlone-Moate Municipal District, and has highlighted a site in the centre of Athlone along the Bower Hill Road which has been the subject of illegal dumping.

Pointing out that the public road at the centre of the latest illegal dumping controversy serves as the back entrance to the Bower Convent site, Cllr Keena said it is "absolutely horrendous to see the volume of waste that is illegally disposed along the embankment at this location." Items such as black bags of domestic waste, white goods, gas cylinder bottles, construction rubble, assorted plastics and old toys are "only a small selection of waste" that is strewn around the area, he said.

"Obviously, the presence of domestic waste is attracting vermin and the strong smell is stifling" said the local Fianna Fail Cllr, who called for urgent action to clean up the area and to put procedures in place to prevent it from reoccurring.

I have reported this to the Municipal District and I will be very strong in not accepting any excuses about getting it removed. There is a need for a long reach machine to collect this waste due to the steep embankment. This lovely cul de sac road is a lovely walkway and offers fabulous views of Athlone due to its elevation" he said.

Alongside the illegal dumping issue, Cllr Keena also expressed his frustration this week at the lack of progress from the Housing Department of Westmeath County Council in demolishing the unstable house along this road. He explained that the Council had re-located their tenants from the house last year as part of it was gradually shifting down the embankment. "At that time, I requested that it be demolished straight away on health and safety grounds and was assured that the process of appointing a contractor was underway. Unfortunately, I have now been told that this still has to be done" he said.