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Illegal dumpers caught on camera
23.12.09
DONEGAL County Council
is stepping up its campaign against illegal dumping
in Inishowen. The Council has been using covert
cameras to help in the battle against people who
discard waste without regard for public health or
the environment. The cameras have night vision
functionality and are capable of reading car
registration plates at a distance. Evidence gathered
by the cameras, such as the accompanying photos,
will be used in prosecuting those who engage in
illegal dumping.
“The cameras have been deployed over the recent
months in the Inishowen area and have proved a very
successful tool in our fight against illegal
dumping,” the spokesman said. “Litter fines continue
to issue on foot of the clear evidence recorded and
with that, the message that illegal dumping is
unacceptable.” |
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The Council is
satisfied that covert cameras are an effective tool
in addressing illegal dumping and plan to increase
the number of cameras and deploying them throughout
the county.
Illegal dumping has become a recurring problem in
Donegal, particularly in border locations both in
urban and rural areas. This is a drain on council
resources as the costs of clean-ups are expensive
and also an unnecessary expense particularly at a
time when resources are more stretched than ever.
Donegal County Council issued 320 on-the-spot fines
for littering offences in 2008, with just 107 of
those paid. The council took two successful
prosecutions for the non-payment of fines.
The council has been trialling the use of covert
cameras since February and expects to extend its
network of cameras in the New Year.
Meanwhile, the council continue to promote the
various alternatives for disposal of waste including
recycling at bottle banks; or at the Civic Amenity
sites; through the blue bin service offered by the
waste collectors or waste to landfill through the
black bin service. (Inishowen
Independent) |
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