Councillors seek CCTV cameras across Clare to combat 'plight of illegal dumping'

Calls have been made at the December meeting of Clare County Council to launch a 'pilot programme' of CCTV cameras in towns and villages across the county in "dumping blackspots".

Councillors criticised the council for the "lack of prosecutions" and not being able "to name and shame people in the courts system" as without the CCTV footage it is difficult to catch those illegally dumping.

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The motion was proposed by Fianna Fáil councillor Pat Hayes, who called on the council to "immediately begin the process of identifying and establishing  a number of pilot locations for the installation of CCTV and other appropriate monitoring  technologies to combat the ongoing problem of illegal dumping across the county."

Cllr Hayes said that across the county there is now a "plight of illegal dumping", highlighting in Tulla, in East Clare, there has been in a growing problem of "people dumping their household was along with their recyclables at [local] bottle banks."

He noted how in many of these cases local Tidy Town groups are the ones unfairly left clean up and properly dispose of the waste.

Cllr Hayes said he is looking for these pilot areas in "dumping blackspots", such as in Tulla, as the council thus far has been unsuccessful in stopping the illegal dumping as they cannot proceed with prosecutions due to insufficient evidence.

Councillor Tom O'Callaghan said the illegal dumping is "an absolute curse", highlighting that it is a problem in Ennis town, particularly in the Clareabbey area.

He said that there is an increasing pressure from constituents to "nail those individuals" citing that CCTV footage is critical for An Garda Siochana and retailers within the town so the council should too be able to utilise it.

Cllr O'Callaghan also explained that as well as stopping illegal dumping, the use of CCTV will help combat incidents of "anti-social behaviour" in estates within the town as the presences of cameras would be a "deterrent".

Independent councillor Ian Lynch criticised Clare County Council for "lagging behind other councils" in reference to CCTV security.

He acknowledged how it is difficult to get approval for cameras as the council must provide "twelve months of evidence gathering" to prove the need for them, and that it "is only a temporary solutions as we cant keep them long-term."

Sinn Féin councillor James Ryan support Cllr Lynch's comments saying "people don't understand that putting up cameras isn't easy", but noted that they would be a "good way to monitor vandalism in more urban areas" in Clare.

Cllr Claire Colleran-Molloy expressed her frustration that calls for CCTV have been a "repeated matter in the council for over ten years" and there has been a "lack of pro-action by council [officials]."

Fianna Fail councillor Joe Killeen told the council how he has heard of cases of people bringing there waste down from other counties to Clare to dump and suggested incentives to help stop illegal dumping.

He suggested programmes such as Christmas tree collection points, where people can drop their tree of after Christmas for free and the council will safely dispose of it.

Fine Gael councillor Joe Garrihy spoke of a perk that installed CCTV cameras four years ago and "there hasn't been a sweet paper dropped in that park since."

He added that their presence has "greatly contributed" to the park because it gives people an increased sense of security whilst in the park.

Director of Service, Carmel Kirby said that CCTV is "a good deterrent against anti-social behavouir" but must be used as a "last resort".

In a written reply to the motion, Tom Mellett, A/Senior Engineer, said that Clare County Council, and elected representatives such as Environmental Patrol Wardens, M.D staff and Community Development Officers "keep ongoing conversation with local communities."

He noted that, as a result, they are “alert to locations of illegal dumping and take measures under the Waste Management Act 1996 to pursue those responsible.”

In cases where dumping occurs on public property, he added, the council will “arrange to collect the waste and restore the affected areas.”

Mr Mellett said that the installation of Local Authority operated CCTV cameras, are operated under schemes with "very stringent conditions", meaning "CCTV can only be used on a temporary basis and in circumstances where all other avenues have been exhausted."

He confirmed that "Clare County Council will continue to monitor all illegal waste and will consider a pilot location for the introduction of CCTV."