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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Large amount of domestic waste appears to have been dumped over the edge of an incline
Illegal dumpers chose the highest point in the Slieve Booms to git rid of what appears to domestic waste on the border between Laois and Offaly.
Glendine Gap also known as the Fanning Pass is located on the Laois / Offaly border in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, at a height of 1500 feet.
Because of its beauty, it's popular with car and walking tourists. However, it's also been the scene of several illegal dumping incidents over the last few years.
The picture, taken this week, shows the latest incident. An extensive amount of domestic waste is strewn across the hillside, including a lot of large black refuse sacks.
James Fanning is commemorated with a monument near where the dumping took place. He devoted much of his life to the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Their highest point in the midlands mountain range, Arderin (526m), is located in the area.
Laois County Council and other local authorities will soon be able to deploy mobile cameras to tackle illegal dumping which had been suspended over GDPR issues. New laws and codes of practice will allow the councils to use cameras again to catch dumpers. More below picture.
The Council's CEO John Mulholland told councillors in January this year that 315 tonnes of illegally dumped waste had to be collected by the local authority in 2023. There were over 800 complaints about waste management and litter while 82 litter fines were issued during the year.
He said licensed waste collectors were obliged to provide all households with a food and garden waste service from December 2023. Such collectors must also keep records of customers who do not avail of such bins and that these records be made available to the local authority.
Dumping in Laois is policed by the council's Environment section. The Council says its Litter Wardens provide a vital service as they enforce the Litter Pollution Act 1997-2003. They investigate cases of illegal dumping, issue litter fines and attend Court. The Council adds that its Litter Wardens appreciate the public’s help in reporting incidences and/or the witnessing of littering – all offences can be reported to the freephone confidential hotline on 1800 323230.
The dumping was also reported to Offaly County Council.
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