Droning in on county’s litter-louts

DRONES could be used as Clare’s newest weapon in the war against litter, one local councillor has suggested. The remote controlled surveillance devices, which have gained notoriety from their use by the US government, have been put forward as a possible solution to fly-tipping in the county, with a claim that drones are already being used on the continent for this purpose.

At this week’s meeting of the Environmental and Water Services Strategic Policy Committee of Clare County Council, Councillor Johnny Flynn hit out at what he described as the “disgusting” behaviour of people who litter the county’s roads.

He believes government grants could be used by the local authority to send a drone into the air to identify the culprits of illegal dumping. Last year, grant funding was used by Clare County Council for the deployment of mobile CCTV to deal with littering, with Councillor Flynn urging similar funding be obtained for drones.

“I am delighted that the funding was used for mobile CCTV and I understand they have been very successful. I would suggest that the council consider applying again this year and consider using drones, robotic flying cameras, that could be used to look out for fly-tipping. We have to come down very hard on these people. There are a million bags of rubbish unaccounted for in this county,” he said.

“This is disgraceful behaviour by a small number of people, who are gaining the benefits of living in our society but who are trashing it at the same time.”
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Flynn said the devices are already being used on the continent for this purpose.

“This could be a very effective weapon to deal with these anti-social scoundrels. It would be an inexpensive and effective way to monitor this behaviour,” he said.

He added that a tough stance needs to be taken on anybody found illegally dumping. “Anybody involved in fly-tipping and serious and persistent anti-social behaviour should have the benefits of living in an open and modern society restricted. For example, any person whose vehicle is found to be involved in fly-tipping should loose their driving licence for 20 years.”