Dumpers don’t seem to tyre of fly-tipping on scenic bog...

One hundred tyres were dumped on Emlagh Bog just weeks after Meath Co Council had removed 250 tyres which has been dumped at the well known beauty spot.

Now its hoped that CCTV and other forms of monitoring will deter the culprits, following news of funding to help battle the scourge of dumping.

Emlagh bog has been one of numerous spots around the county, where dumping has dramatically increased over the past five weeks.

Local residents have been busy trying to clean up the area and Meath Co Council has been cleaning up numerous sites around the county.

Cllr Paul McCabe has welcomed news that €1 million has been ringfenced to tackle illegal dumping.

“Over the course of the past five weeks I have received numerous reports of illegal dumping and fly-tipping in both urban and rural locations across North Meath.

“I am pleased that the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment has ring-fenced €1 million to support efforts to tackle the increase in illegal dumping during the current Covid-19 crisis.

“Currently our Meath Co Council outdoor staff are spending much of their working week cleaning up after others, rather than filling potholes and maintaining the road network.

“Waste removal and the installation of CCTV or other monitoring and surveillance equipment will be among the activities supported. “So much positive work has been done in towns, villages and communities throughout the country in respect of clean-up and tidy towns initiatives, it is sad to see that work being undone by a thoughtless and destructive minority. Hopefully this funding will help to alleviate the issue,” he said.

Cllr McCabe has been informed by council litter wardens that they have been actively removing waste from the roadside in Emlagh bog on a weekly basis.

“250 tyres were removed last month and a further 100 tyres have since been dumped along with bulky waste, washing machines etc,” he was told.

“Illegal dumping has increased since the restrictions and we are doing our best to keep on top of its removal”.

CCTV has now been installed in Emlagh and it is expected to catch those responsible and deter others. The area is also being considered for the council's Anti-Dumping Initiative.