Remove refuse bins from beaches - Flynn
Edwin McGreal
A MAYO county councillor has proposed that bins be taken away from beaches in the county to prevent the dumping of rubbish beside them.
Cllr Peter Flynn was speaking at last week’s Strategic Policy Committee meeting on Environment, of which he is chair.
“People think they can leave bags beside bins but the bins are not collected daily and there is quite a mess and birds get at the rubbish and it leaves an even worse mess. I would suggest removing the bins altogether and encouraging people to bring their rubbish home with them. We would work with An Taisce on this so we can still get Blue Flag status,” stated Cllr Flynn.
However Cllr Michael Kilcoyne argued that removing bins would inconvenience people who actually go to the trouble of using them and that mobile CCTV cameras should be used to prosecute offenders.
Cllr Richard Finn countered that the council were not facilitating people if the bins were allowed to fill up, leading to people dumping rubbish alongside the bins.
However Knockmore-based Cllr Seamus Weir said people ‘abuse’ this, adding that there are ‘a lot of people who will not pay for their wastage’.
Mr Johnny Groden on behalf of Mayo Community Forum agreed with Cllr Weir.
“As someone who lives near a lot of beaches, I know the bins tend to attract illegal dumping, particularly because the beaches are in secluded areas.”
Seán Smyth, Senior Executive Officer with Mayo County Council, said that the council were using mobile cameras at a cost of €35,000 per annum all around the county and have issued fines to people caught. He added that the profile of some illegal dumpers would amaze people.
“If you saw some of the CCTV at bottle banks, you’d be amazed at some of the people who are littering.” It was agreed that the matter would be discussed at a further date
Edwin McGreal
A MAYO county councillor has proposed that bins be taken away from beaches in the county to prevent the dumping of rubbish beside them.
Cllr Peter Flynn was speaking at last week’s Strategic Policy Committee meeting on Environment, of which he is chair.
“People think they can leave bags beside bins but the bins are not collected daily and there is quite a mess and birds get at the rubbish and it leaves an even worse mess. I would suggest removing the bins altogether and encouraging people to bring their rubbish home with them. We would work with An Taisce on this so we can still get Blue Flag status,” stated Cllr Flynn.
However Cllr Michael Kilcoyne argued that removing bins would inconvenience people who actually go to the trouble of using them and that mobile CCTV cameras should be used to prosecute offenders.
Cllr Richard Finn countered that the council were not facilitating people if the bins were allowed to fill up, leading to people dumping rubbish alongside the bins.
However Knockmore-based Cllr Seamus Weir said people ‘abuse’ this, adding that there are ‘a lot of people who will not pay for their wastage’.
Mr Johnny Groden on behalf of Mayo Community Forum agreed with Cllr Weir.
“As someone who lives near a lot of beaches, I know the bins tend to attract illegal dumping, particularly because the beaches are in secluded areas.”
Seán Smyth, Senior Executive Officer with Mayo County Council, said that the council were using mobile cameras at a cost of €35,000 per annum all around the county and have issued fines to people caught. He added that the profile of some illegal dumpers would amaze people.
“If you saw some of the CCTV at bottle banks, you’d be amazed at some of the people who are littering.” It was agreed that the matter would be discussed at a further date
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