Calls for enforcement of illegal dumping laws after caravan 'abandoned' on Limerick roadside

A LIMERICK councillor has spoken out about the waste left behind on one Limerick city roadside.

Councillor Joe Leddin has taken a stand against the waste which was left just off the Dock Road at Ashbourne Avenue.

His comments have sparked a conversation about proper waste management and the enforcement of regulations after a "destroyed caravan" and a significant amount of litter and domestic rubbish was discovered.

He expressed his dissatisfaction over the state of the site through social media. In a tweet, he shared an image of the remains of the caravan and the surrounding area strewn with litter, adding that it would now be the issue for the public authorities to remove the litter.

According to Councillor Leddin, the area had been intermittently occupied by members of the Traveller community over the past year, but they have since moved on.

He raised concerns about the council's lack of enforcement in relation to fines for illegal dumping, stating, "as a council, we are not enforcing the rules and the legislation that is there in terms of fines for rubbish being dumped."

Highlighting the importance of responsible waste disposal, Councillor Leddin emphasised that all households must provide evidence of how their rubbish is safely discarded. He further noted that there are "certain sections of society who seem to have a free for all, and that is just not acceptable."

However, Cllr Leddin emphasised the distinction between members of Limerick's Traveller community who take pride in their residences and those who thoughtlessly abandon waste by the roadside.

As a supporter of the Traveller community, he said: "We have a Traveller Accommodation Programme which I fully support, and we have designated halting sites around the city that are well kept by the people living in those sites."

In a show of support for the Traveller Community, Councillor Leddin expresses his concerns about the "constant battle for recognition" faced by this minority group, and that those who take pride in their residences are let down by those who fail to uphold the same standards.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council confirmed that the caravan was removed on Friday morning. They added that it is premature for a statement regarding cost of the waste removal.

To realise the costs, the spokesperson added: "An assessment is being carried out by a cleansing engineer from Limerick City and County Council."