Litter is ruining Lovely Leitrim
Fly tipping seems to have increased as Leitrim's litter problem is "getting worse"
Greater fines and more law enforcement on litter is needed to deter people from dumping all over the county, according to our readers.
The majority of the Leitrim Observer readers agree that the litter problem in Leitrim is getting worse and the evidence of that is on the sides of our roads.
Food waste in Drumshanbo last week
In response to our story on litter last week, hundreds took to social media to reveal several litter blackspots around Leitrim and to agree that more enforcement is needed in this area to deter serial fly tippers.
Leitrim County Council spent approx €930,500 on waste regulations, monitoring and enforcement last year, with another €824,000 expected to be spent on the same this year according to their annual budget.
Some readers pointed the finger at the price of private waste collection in Leitrim, and the lack of competition in rubbish collection as the reason why so many are dumping on Leitrim’s roadsides.
But many others said that the rise in costs is no excuse for dumping rubbish along our roads.
Cllr Mary Bohan had said there were bags of household rubbish dumped outside of Drumkeerin this month, while Mohill has also been mentioned as a frequent “litter blackspot.” Dromahair Bring Bank Centre after Christmas was used as a dump when the banks were full.
Over 230 complaints of fly tipping were received by Leitrim County Council in 2018. A number of litter ‘blackspots’ were identified and works were undertaken to clean up these sites.
Last year the council purchased drone technology to enable Waste Enforcement personnel to target incidents of illegal dumping and ameliorate waste management. Temporary CCTV and additional signage were installed.
91 litter fines and 20 fixed penalty notices in relation to household waste by-laws were issued in Leitrim during 2018. There were five prosecutions initiated in relation to litter and waste offences during 2018, two of these have yet to be concluded. The Courts Service also fined litter offenders.
Just last Saturday, January 26 Leitrim County Council held a hazardous waste collection for all of North Leitrim.
If you spot any illegal dumping contact Leitrim County Council Environmental Hotline on 1890 205 205.