Illegally dumped waste being sorted by hand

Westmeath County Council litter wardens have to sort through illegally dumped waste in search of evidence of who dumped it and “it’s not a nice job”, John Jackson of the council’s Environment Section told members of the Environment SPC on Friday.

He said the council investigate all reports of illegal dumping and the staff go through the rubbish by hand, which is both unpleasant and time consuming. He revealed they are currently “chasing” an individual who was collecting rubbish from the public and charging them, and then dumping it illegally.

Fifty two litter fines were issued by the council up to November, of which 19 are paid. Thirty eight were in the Mullingar district and 14 in Athlone. Thirteen Mullingar and six Athlone fines have been paid, according to figures from Mr Jackson.

In reply to Cllr Johnnie Penrose, Mr Jackson said a €150 fine is issued for a first offence and if it is not paid the council decides what action is to be taken. Most of the fines are for illegal dumping.

Chairman, Cllr Tom Farrell, urged the public to be vigilante, remarking that the more reports the council receive, the better, as the culprits must be named and shamed.