A west Donegal Councillor has claimed a dead dog was found dumped recently in a local clothes bank.
Cllr Michael McClafferty made the shocking revelation during a debate on illegal dumping at this morning’s meeting of Donegal County Council.
The meeting also heard the issue around litter and dumping is ‘out of control’ around the county.
“There was even a case where a dead Alsatian dog was wrapped up in blankets and dumped in a clothing bank in Falcarragh,” Cllr McClaffety said.
Speaking to Donegal Daily afterwards, he added that a lot more needs to be done to combat illegal dumping.
“What do you have to do to get people to pay attention,” he asked.
“A lot of this (dumped) stuff can be recycled. I know it’s hard for some people to speak up, but reports can be made anonymously. We need more garda checkpoints too, in order to spot illegal dumpers.”
Cllr Michael McMahon asked what the council had done to install CCTV cameras at bottle banks.
“We were supposed to have CCTV installed at bottle banks, but the dumping is out of control,” he said.
“Why have the cameras not been erected? There have also been no convictions for dumping. Last week, 27 tyres were dumped along the road at Cashelard, near Ballyshannon. We need cameras, extra litter wardens in each area and convictions and penalties.”
The Council’s Director of Water and Environment, Michael McGarvey, however, said there were ‘legal issues’ around the erection of CCTV at bottle banks.
Mr McGarvey also said the council had secured a number of illegal dumping convictions in recent years and that numerous fines had been issued.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the 6,000 people in community groups around the county who are key in our battle against illegal dumping and litter,” he added.
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