76 complaints of illegal dumping in Leitrim this year

Cllr Justin Warnock, who is the Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, said that during his 50 Mile Leitrim GAA Challenge he was "sickened to see the amount of dumping of black bags of household waste in the environment along our rural roads and lanes". 

He asked the council to hold a "brainstorming workshop with the elected members, members of the PPN and staff from the Environment section to develop a strategy to deal with the horrendous issue."  

A response from the head of finance and water services said that prevention is always better than cure and since the beginning of the year, the Environment section has received 76 complaints regarding illegal dumping of bags and various other items along both main and rural roads as well as side roads and bring banks. 

The response continued that "dumping is spoiling our lovely county" and welcomed the suggestion of a brainstorming workshop and said they would plan an event in April during National Spring Clean month. 

Vincent Dwyer, Leitrim County Council said that the only solution is "engagement with the communities" and said this has been proven with the Adopt a Road and Adopt a Bring Bank schemes. 

Cllr Paddy O'Rourke said that he believes there needs to be a "rapid response from the local authority when an incident of illegal dumping occurs on someone's property" and said that "addresses, etc. in the bag are fading every hour it's hanging around and the chances of linking it back are fading too."

Cllr Enda McGloin said that he believed that every household should be able to produce "proof of who is dealing with their waste". 

Cllr Des Guckian suggested CCTV be erected at dumping black spots.