CCTV demanded for ‘unbelievable, disgraceful, unnatural’ dumping in Laois

Cameras must go back into operation in Laois to track down illegal dumpers such as those who illegally left a mountain of waste in a Mountmellick stream that feeds the River Barrow, according to Laois councillors.

The incident and follow-up action were highlighted at a meeting between public representatives and council officials in the wake of the shocking waste discovery during Clean up Laois Week.

Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fáil, praised the work done by volunteers in Mountmellick during but was angered by their discovery of more than 100 bags of illegally dumped rubbish.

“Unbelievable, disgraceful, unnatural,” he declared at the meeting with council officials in County Hall.

He said what made it more difficult to understand was that every facility is now available to dispose of rubbish legally.

He was also upset that volunteers had come across the incident and council staff would be required to wade through the waste to clean up the mess left.

Cllr Ollie Clooney, independent, backed his colleague and called for CCTV to be deployed now that the restrictions on camera was removed.

“Without them, it is going to continue,” he said.

He said the cameras would identify the few culprits that illegally dump waste.

“A few people can make a place a misery. If they were identified I’m sure it would stop,” he said.

The Mountmellick waste was discovered on Saturday, April 6 in a stream that flows into a local river that is a tributary of the River Barrow.

Mountmellick Tidy Towns volunteer Kitty Creighton described what they found.

“We were absolutely shocked and disgusted,” she said.

The dumping was so extensive that the volunteers were unable to remove it. The waste was reported to Laois County Council.

Cllr John King, Fine Gael, was pleased with the work done by local groups over Clean Up Week Laois in Rathdowney and praised the turnout of foreign nationals to help.

Cllr James Kelly, independent, also commended communities who completed clean ups especially those who ventured out during Storm Kathleen.

Anyone who discovers illegal dumping in Laois is asked to report it to the Laois confidential freephone litter hotline 1800323230.