A meeting in Laois has heard how a farmer found a load of adult nappies dumped in one of his fields recently.
The farmer, based in Trumera, made the grim discovery recently and alerted Independent Councillor James Kelly.
He informed the February meeting of the County Council about the issue and pleaded with people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly.
Cllr Kelly said: “Dumping is rampant again. I was recently called to a farm in Trumera and what I am about to say is not nice.
“The farmer discovered that someone caring for an adult had dumped a load of nappies in his field.
“Foxes are then pulling them into the middle of the field and it really is not nice at all.
“There is disgraceful dumping in Trumera bog and at the money tree too.”
Fine Fail Councillor John Joe Fennelly outlined how the issue of dumping was prevalent in Abbeyleix also.
Cllr Fennelly said: “Empty bottles are being thrown out of car windows in Abbeyleix.
“People need to think of those who have to pick up that litter afterwards. It is not fair.”
Fine Gael Councillor Barry Walsh expressed his frustrations that the fines and penalties in place for those caught dumping are not strong enough.
Director of Services Simon Walton agreed with him but said the Council do not set the fines – the government do.
He also explained that the Council collected 650 tonnes of dumped rubbish in 2022 – something he described as the highest amount ever.
He said: “Everybody knows at this stage that local authorities are restricted in their deployment of covert cameras, and this is to be addressed by the state in the Waste Management bill for the circular economy.
“That obviously gives rise to an increase in the incidents of illegal dumping.
“We’ve been waiting for it to go through the houses of the Oireachtas. Only when it is enacted will councils be able to redeploy the infrastructure.
“We are constrained by the limitations on the use of CCTV to support us in identifying and pursuing some of the people engaged in this illegal act.
“The €75 fines are set by the state. If they are ignored people, the risk if prosecuted and convicted it can rise up to €2,500.”
It was agreed that Laois County Council would request that the fines be increased.
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