CCTV is sought to tackle illegal dumping at Mayo clothes banks
Ballyhaunis bottle and clothes bank is often unsightly looking with dumpers abusing the facility.
The establishment of a CCTV oversight committee by Mayo County Council is a vital step towards tackling illegal dumping, a Ballyhaunis councillor has stated.
Cllr Alma Gallagher told the February meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District that she would like to see Ballyhaunis and Knock included in the CCTV monitoring plan because they are illegal dumping hotspots.
“There seems to be no responsibility around clothes banks and nobody to answer for illegal dumping around them. The two litter wardens also cover parking, so we need extra resources."
Cllr Michael Burke said it is a problem all over the county.
“People are saying they don’t want those clothes banks beside their properties anymore as they are unsightly. In Ballinrobe, I know the Tesco ones have been tidied up, but people are reckless leaving litter outside to be attacked by dogs or whatever and it is very unfair to communities.”
Cllr Richard Finn said a similar issue arose in Claremorris and a lot of problems related to privately-owned clothes banks rather than council banks.
“The reputable people who run these do it well and we don’t want to label all the same as a lot belong to charitable organisations, but there are a few cowboys that seem to aim towards shopping centre banks.”
Mayo County Council's Director of Services Catherine McConnell advised members that the CCTV oversight committee will be meeting for the first time in early February and once established will accept business cases for additional CCTV sites/schemes for consideration.
