Describing illegal dumping as ‘economic and environmental treason’ the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten TD announced that his department is allocating €2 million this year for a targeted crackdown on illegal dumping black spots across the country.
Minister Naughten and the Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring TD recently launched the 2018 Anti-Illegal Dumping Initiative.
Castleisland Has Suffered
Castleisland has suffered its share over the years from this scourge. Bogs, rivers and wooded areas are all seen as fair game by the people who share this mindset.
More recently, the bins of private houses are being targeted by these people. In one instance, the bins of the senior citizens at River View Place became the ideal solution until cameras were installed there.
The Latest Go To Area
The boundary wall to the rear of the houses on Main Street and between these and Castleisland Co-Op Mart is the latest ‘go to’ location for illegal dumpers.
There have been occasional outbreaks there in recent years but lately it’s gone to the bad altogether. And the area in question is just a few paces with a hundred yards from Main Street.
The worst part of it is that most of the stuff dumped here recently is highly recyclable. There are bottles and cans and loads of clothes.
Continuous Clothes Collections
We all know how wide-spread recycling banks are nowadays and, at least two local GAA clubs, Cordal and Knocknagoshel to my knowledge, conduct continuous clothes collections as a means of fundraising for their activities.
While Ministers Naughten and Ring are putting covert surveillance and deploying smart technology including aerial imagery from drones and satellites as a means of deterrents, they clearly won’t be able to access all areas where the dumpers ply their dirty trade.
Environmental and Economic Treason
They are, however, encouraging local authorities and community groups to apply for funding under the 2018 Anti-Dumping Initiative with an increased funding allocation of €2 million.
“The battle is well and truly on to catch and prosecute those who are committing these acts. Our communities are standing as one to say enough. Our river-ways, mountainsides, towns and villages are to be used no longer as the dumping grounds by those who have no respect for our environment, our laws or their neighbours,” said Minister Naughten.
Areas Targeted by Fly-Tippers
“Local communities were central to the success of the Anti-Dumping Initiative last year and they will be again this year. These communities are the backbone of our counties and they are also victims, reporters, witnesses and partners in the clean-up and control of sites that are targeted by fly-tippers,” he said.
You can contact The Maine Valley Post on… Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467. Please Note: A click on any of our adverts will reveal all you need to know about what our advertisers need to tell you.
© Copyright Notice: All materials and artwork contained on this website are copyrighted by the creators under the protection of Irish and International Copyright Laws. Material may not be downloaded, copied or used without written permission.
