'Avalanche' as freezer and fridge among dumped waste in rural Laois
Fine Gael councillor urges Laois County Council to halt repeat dumping
A Laois councillor has likened illegal dumping to an "avalanche", questioning why people dump white electrical goods that are free to dispose of legally.
Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh has highlighting dumping which he photographed in Raheen, between Doon Bridge and Roskelton.
"I could have picked several locations for this motion. The abandonment of rubbish is quite bad. Once people see rubbish dumped, it's like it's passed that everyone else can do the same. We need to clear it away to discourage people. It nearly starts an avalanche when people see it in a drain or ditch.
"There was a freezer and a fridge here. I just don't understand it. to put that into a trailer and drive to this location, why not just bring it to the dump? Is it that the fees are too expensive? It's out of control. I find it unacceptable," he said.
He tabled a motion to the April meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District asking Laois County Council to clean out the drain which is overgrown as well as filled with dumped white goods and rubbish.
Cllr John Joe Fennelly who seconded it, reminded him that there are no fees at all to dispose of electrical goods legally.
"I agree that you could pick any location. The amount of white goods... I see it on Coleman's Road in Abbeyleix. We make a huge effort and then people start dumping again. White goods are free. They take them in any electrical store. It's people's behaviour," he said.
The district engineer said that the drain will be cleared out and the council's environment staff will arrange to dispose of the waste.