CCTV ‘success’ in litter battle

A CCTV initiative in the Athlone Moate Municipal District has been deemed a success, as 131 fines were issued in 2025 for illegal dumping.

It commenced in May 2025, and the council currently have two mobile CCTV vans in use. The council executive said that littering at the locations with a CCTV presence has reduced significantly, and it is hoped to extend the initiative to other locations in 2026.

When asked by Cllr Frankie Keena whether it would be possible to place the CCTV vans at other locations, such as at Carrickobrien and at bogs in the town with severe dumping problems, the executive responded that they are focusing on the bottle banks.

“Our experience has been that, over the years, when we deviate and move away from bottle banks, it doesn’t work,” said Frank Dolan, district administrator, Athlone Municipal District.

When asked by Cllr John Dolan how many litter fines were issued in 2025 in the district and how many prosecutions were secured, the executive said 131 litter fines were issued, a significant majority from CCTV, and no prosecutions were initiated.