Illegal dumpers have 'too much protection'
If you dump illegally, you relinquish your right to privacy and should be named and shamed, according to a north Westmeath councillor.
Cllr Una D’Arcy made the comment days after photos of extensive illegal dumping in the townland of Derrynagarragh were published on social media. Among the items were a brown leather suite of furniture and cushions.
Like many parts of the county, north Westmeath has been the scene of increased incidents of illegal dumping in recent years
Cllr D’Arcy told the Westmeath Examiner that the people of north Westmeath are angered by the rise in illegal dumping and want to see the perpetrators caught and punished.
At present, county councils are reluctant to name and shame illegal dumpers or to publish photos following warnings from the Data Commissioner that to do so would be in breach of data protection legislation.
Cllr D’Arcy believes that up to now illegal dumpers have been far too “sheltered” by the data protection laws.
“People who dump, we can’t fine them, we can’t prosecute them. People are saying ‘put up cameras’ but what can we do with that information.
“I think that if you dump your crap, you choose to give up your rights. It’s not the council that infringes your right – it’s you, by behaving in such a criminal and vile fashion you have decided to give up your rights. I don’t think the Data Commissioner should extend the shelter of data protection to them.
“The government are happy enough to shame tax defaulters, they are happy enough to publish those names; but yet if we took someone to court and prosecuted them for fly-tipping and illegal dumping, we are not allowed to publish their names on the council website.
“They [illegal dumpers] are given a substantial amount of protection by the Data Commissioner but where is the protection for the people living in the areas? We should be allowed to use CCTV images of people dumping to make giant posters and put them everywhere. “
A number of councillors have said that there is a link between rising refuse costs and the increase in illegal dumping – however Cllr D’Arcy, who praised Westmeath County Council for promptly clearing aware the illegally dumped material, believes that for most people cost is not a valid excuse.
“I don’t believe it for one second. A lot of the stuff we are finding is from house clearances. It’s people getting rid of a load of stuff. Are you telling me that someone who has just dumped a sofa, hasn’t gone out and bought a new sofa? I don’t think they are sitting on the ground in their houses. If they could afford a new sofa, they should have built into the budget what they were going to do with their old sofa.”
“It’s absolutely your responsibility and I don’t believe it’s a cost issue.”