'Butchers' waste' dumped near river in north Westmeath

Illegal dumping at the Stonestown area of Castlepollard is a biohazard for residents and local wildlife, says Cllr Alfie Devine.

Raw meat, bones, and what seems to be mainly butchers’ waste were left lying at the side of the road near the Stonestown River.

Cllr Devine called out the dumpers on his social media, highlighting Westmeath County Council’s new covert CCTV due to be rolled out at dumping blackspots.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, he said: “It’s happening on a regular basis in the same spot. It’s close to a spring river, which goes into lakes and back into drinking water as well.

“There is dumping, but dumping that stuff brings germs, diseases, and leaching into the water system.

“Along with that, there are animals like badgers and foxes; anything that’s a carnivore can spread that to other parts of Westmeath.”

Cllr Devine said the culprits face repercussions. “All of these dumping black spots are being watched, and this is going to be one of them. So, if you don’t stop, you will be caught, and the council is now on a campaign of catching illegal dumpers and prosecuting them.”

He concluded: “People are going to be prosecuted. It shouldn’t be happening, and they need to stop what they are doing because it’s just not on.”