A new specially adapted fly-tipping unit purchased recently by Cork County Council’s Environmental Department is determined to reduce to scourge of illegal dumping in North Cork.
Four new units have been purchased in total for the County with one each operating in North & West Cork and two in South Cork.
Welcoming the operation of the new fly-tipping unit for North Cork, Chairperson of the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District of Cork County Council, Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea (Ind) said ” The scourge of illegally dumping is a blight on our lovely countryside and we must do all in our power to discourage people from doing this. There is a clear message being put out here from today, if people who feel that dumping their rubbish in our countryside is OK, then, prepare to be caught and fined”.
The new service will be resourced by staff from the Environmental Directorate of Cork County Council who will pick up illegally dumped rubbish on the roadside which is reported to the Council’s Anti Litter Unit. All efforts will be made to identify the offender and fine them accordingly. This often means trawling through the dumped rubbish bit by bit, which is very time consuming, however, as it has been proven before, people can be traced by something as simple as a customer receipt.
The Litter Pollution Act allows Councils such as Cork County Council to issue on the spot fines for illegal dumping of €150, or a maximum fine of €3,000 if you are convicted in the District Court.
If you come across illegal dumping, you should report it to the Anti Litter Unit of Cork County Council by phone, 021- 4285417 or by email to antilitterunit@corkcoco.ie and they will investigate your complaint.
Cllr. O’ Shea added “We have already have had success in this service within North Cork, even though, it has only commenced in recent weeks. The community of Mourneabbey recently reported to me the issue of illegally dumped rubbish within their parish. It was duly reported to the Anti Litter Unit and they have since identified the offender who has been fined for dumping same. It is not acceptable that illegal dumping continues and I am glad to see Cork County Council investing resources and equipment to try and eliminate same. We must fight this as a community and with the help of all, we can make good inroads on illegal dumping over the coming months”.
Cllr. O’ Shea continued “A special provision has also been made for the installation of temporary CCTV cameras in dumping blackspots so as to further enhance the crackdown of illegal dumping. This is a further clear message – if you dare to dump, you will be caught”.
Cork County Council also has three Civic Amenity Sites within North Cork and a number of bring sites (to dispose of glass, food cans and drinking cans). The three Civic Amenity Sites in Mallow, Kanturk & Millstreet has a very modest charge of €3 entry fee. For this, you can recycle a full carload of recyclable material. There is an additional charge for larger items such as mattresses, furniture, etc. The sites also accept domestic waste at €4 per bag of €12 per wheelie bin. Services available in all Civic Amenity Sites is available onwww.corkcoco.ie. All bring sites around North Cork are free.
One of the four new fly-tipping units now in operation in Co Cork fighting the scourge of illegal dumping.
