Councillors back new anti-dumping signage campaign across district

A new wave of anti-dumping signage is to be rolled out across the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District, as councillors backed Cllr Alfie Devine’s call for stronger deterrents at known dumping blackspots.

At the November meeting, Cllr Devine proposed that the council install signs warning “CCTV cameras in regular operation here” in areas prone to illegal dumping.

“I think each individual councillor should be able to give their own list of problem areas,” he said. “They know their localities best and know exactly where the dumping happens. Every suggestion should be taken on board because local knowledge is key.”

The Environment Section confirmed that the new signage forms part of a wider countywide initiative, the ‘Eyes signage programme’, which runs in tandem with Westmeath County Council’s CCTV enforcement project. Most sign locations have already been identified, but additional signs will be available for district use, with final locations still under consideration.

Director of services Deirdre Reilly told members that district engineer Pat Kavanagh would contact them to discuss possible sign locations.

Supporting the motion, Cllr Denis Leonard suggested the council consider deploying roving CCTV vans to reinforce the signage and catch offenders.

“If the signs go up, people know cameras could be there once a week, once a month, it doesn’t matter. It puts people off dumping,” he said.

“We can’t cover every blackspot all the time, but we could cover them on a rotational basis. The signage works for speeding, and I’m sure it’ll work for dumping too.”

Cllr Emily Wallace also voiced strong support, saying the council now needed to make full use of its CCTV powers.

“We fought long and hard to get the legislation across that allows it to be used, now let’s use it,” she said. “When people see cameras or signs, it stops them.

“But if they move somewhere else, let’s catch them there. Unless it hits people in the pocket, they’ll keep doing it.”

Cllr Wallace also asked that recycling and bottle-bank sites be included, noting that illegal dumping is common at those locations.

Ms Reilly commended both councillors and staff for their work in tackling litter and illegal dumping. She particularly praised the environmental awareness officer for the ‘Mullingar Eyes’ initiative.

“Next year, when we report on our litter management plan, we’ll be able to show, for the first time in many years, the income generated through CCTV enforcement.”