'It's depressing' - Kilkenny frustration grows over local dumping

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh has called for those found to be dumping illegally to be ‘named and shamed’.

Highlighting the matter at January’s sitting of the Castlecomer Municipal District, the North Kilkenny councillor expressed her desire to see harsher penalties for offenders.

Earlier this month Kilkenny County Council confirmed its intention to implement a number of CCTV schemes which aim to deter, prevent, detect and prosecute cases of illegal dumping.  

Six locations have been selected (three in North Kilkenny, two in the city and one in South Kilkenny) with the CCTV expected to be installed on the second week of February.

READ NEXT: Huge sum of money raised for Kilkenny charities following mayor's fundraiser 

"Looking at the road sides when the ditches are cut would absolutely depress you with the amount of rubbish," Cllr Cavanagh told the municipal meeting.

"There’s only so much any of us can do. I don’t know what the answer is at this stage. Every primary and second level school in the area are all taught to keep their area clean and say 20 years later (some of) these are the adults.

2Even if you have the name of the person (found on food waste wrappers etc) they can’t be prosecuted. It’s just unbelievable," Cllr Cavanagh continued.

"The road from Johnstown to the county bounds is absolutely pickled with rubbish," due to takeaway material and coffee cups being dumped, she claimed.

"It’s depressing and unless there’s a media person in court they’re not named and shamed. We’re not allowed to hear the names of the culprits."

Cllr John Brennan described dumping at some local bottle banks as a ‘scandal’, commenting, “a lot of groups like Tidy Towns are working with the council to try and keep their areas clean and culprits come along and they indiscriminately dump around the towns and villages. it’s not good enough. The only way around it is to name and shame them,” he continued.

“I’m glad to see those cameras are being put in place as once and for all we’ll have the evidence to prosecute those people.”

Cllr Michael McCarthy echoed Mr Brennan’s sentiments, stating, “I think it’s absolutely scandalous,” condemning the behaviour.

FOR MORE NORTH KILKENNY NEWS, CLICK HERE