Adult nappies dumped as Laois litter hits record high

Dumping in Laois has hit its highest ever record, with used adult nappies claimed to be among the filth thrown away.

Last year, Laois County Council cleaned up almost 650 tonnes of waste dumped in the countryside.

“It’s the highest on record I would suggest,” Director of Services Simon Walton said, speaking at the February meeting.

CCTV cameras are still not allowed in court prosecutions which he said has worsened the problem..

“Everybody knows at this stage that local authorities are restricted in their deployment of covert cameras, and this is to be addressed by the state in the Waste Management bill for the circular economy.

"That obviously gives rise to an increase in the incidents of illegal dumping.

"We’ve been waiting for it to go through the houses of the Oireachtas. Only when it is enacted will councils be able to redeploy the infrastructure. We are constrained by the limitations on the use of CCTV to support us in identifying and pursuing some of the people engaged in this illegal act.

“The €75 fines are set by the state. If they are ignored people, the risk if prosecuted and convicted it can rise up to €2,500.

 Cllr James Kelly described the incident.

“I was contacted by a farmer in Trumera. Somebody caring for some adult dumped bags of adult nappies. Foxes are bringing it into the centre of his field. It’s not nice,” he said.

He is not happy that there were only 11 litter fines handed out by Laois County Council last January.

“Dumping is rampant again. There is dumping in Trumera bog and at the money tree too,” Cllr Kelly reported.

Ireland’s tidiest small town in 2021 is also being littered.

Plastic bottles are being flung out of car windows in Abbeyleix according to Cllr John Joe Fennelly.

He was out with his Tidy Towns group picking up the litter last weekend.

“Yesterday in Abbeyleix, the amount of empty bottles we picked up that were thrown out of car windows was crazy. I ask people to think of everyone who is cleaning up, it’s just not fair,” he said.

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“Dumping is rampant,” agreed Cllr Barry Walsh who wants the basic on-the-spot fine of €75 ramped up.

“It is not enough. We are not solving the problem,” he said.

Mr Walton said "I don't disagree" and agreed that the councillors could try requesting higher fines from the Department.