“A serious illegal waste issue,” which is understood to contain asbestos waste has been detected in the Portarlington area through the use of mobile cameras.
The recent Graiguecullen/Portarlington Municipal District Meeting heard of the incident.
Cllr Tom Mulhall had a motion before the meeting seeking steps to stop illegal dumping in the Portarlington area.
It was confirmed that a person has been cautioned and is co-operating with the clean-up, which is expected to cost thousands of euro.
The dumping occurred close to Portarlington Golf Club, between Emo, Mountmellick and Portarlington.
Orla Barrett, senior executive engineer in the environment section outlined their success in catching those involved in illegal dumping, through their targeted action plan.
Cameras
“A number of mobile cameras were purchased for use in known black spots. To date we have been successful in catching illegal dumpers with the mobile cameras and have increased the number of fines to twice the number issued at this time of year,” she said.
“We have also, identified, a serious illegal waste issue in the Portarlington area through the use of mobile cameras.
“The individual has been cautioned and has been fully co-operative in cleaning up the site of the illegal dumping which is anticipated to run to thousands of euro,” Ms Barrett said.
“We also have a number of cases pending before the courts. We are rolling out new signage across the county on known black spot areas and including these areas on our schedule for the mobile cameras,” Ms Barrett confirmed.
An issue of concern is the increase in the operation of illegal waste collectors in the county.
“Individuals are advertising waste collection services and house/garage/garden clean ups and targeting our most vulnerable,” Ms Barrett said.
Evidence
“We are later finding material illegally dumped and and have issued fines/legal proceedings against the householder whose details are found from evidence at these dump sites.
This has proved very stressful and embarrassing for individuals who thought they were having their waste disposed of in a responsible manner,” Ms Barrett said.
The action plan also aims to ensure that their litter wardens, who are continuously on patrol throughout the county, are more readily identifiable. Their uniforms have been changed and branding of their vehicles is set to be complete in the coming weeks.
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