Dundalk councillor seeks action on dumping from private rented houses in local estates
Dundalk Municipal District January meeting
The issue of dumping waste from private houses rented through HAP, on local authority estates, was raised at the Dundalk Municipal District January meeting by Cllr Kevin Meenan.
Cllr Meenan said that council tenants, "who are paying their rent," are being "annoyed and terrorised by people who are dumping wholesale", adding that it was happening blatantly during the day in some cases and included some setting fires.
The Dundalk South councillor added that in one instance, he caught the landlord himself engaging in dumping waste himself, and followed up on it to ensure it was cleaned up.
Responding to Cllr Meenan Senior Executive Officer, John Lawrence, said that irrespective of whether a tenant is a council tenant, HAP tenant or any other type of tenant, if they engage in dumping, they can be prosecuted.
Mr Lawrence said that it can also be pursued through the council's litter wardens or through the environmental section of the council.
He added that the housing section of Louth County Council is somewhat restricted, as since they are not the landlord they do not have the powers to dictate how waste is disposed, but it can still pursued through the environment section.
Mr Lawrence further add that if there is evidence and people are willing to sign to say they are witness to dumping, then the environment section can follow up and issue fines.
The issue of dumping waste was also raised by Cllr Maeve Yore, who highlighted promised CCTV legislation to help capture those dumping waste, adding that it needs to be implemented.
Cllr Yore highlighted dumping on an alleyway at the back of Seafield Lawns and running up to Tom Bellew Avenue. She said that there will be furniture dumped shortly because those doing it dump their clothes and household waste there already.
She added that the litter wardens are fed up with it adding that they do fantastic work but commented "how demoralising is it that every week they are going to the same spots and dealing with litter".