Litter bugs need to face fines

Clare County Council is looking for a sea change in relation to litter management calling on the public to take responsibility for their litter, while a local county councillor has said unless fines are issued nothing will change.

Councillor Bill Slattery has said the attitude of those who litter will not change unless fines are issued.
“I’m aware of rubbish such as nappies and waste left over from picnics being left by people who just don’t care. Until such time as a litter warden or the gardaí start issuing fines this is not going to stop,” he said.

He added that while people are complaining of a lack of bins in Lahinch he claims it is the abuse of these bins which adds to the problem.
“I’ve complained of the lack of bins to the council and have been told we have two people for the summer to empty the bins whenever they are full. But we have a serious problem with the bins being used for domestic waste. Some holiday home residents and local residents too are putting their domestic rubbish in the bins,” he said.

The local authority is urging visitors to Clare’s main beaches to take responsibility for their rubbish by bringing it home with them.

The call comes following an outcry by locals and visitors for something to be done about litter management at the county’s beaches and resorts this week.

The council has employed additional resources and temporary bins along the length of Lahinch beach to minimise littering while litter wardens have been deployed to monitor littering activity.

Joan Tarmey, Clare Environmental Awareness Officer has said she is aware of “litter being jammed in between rocks, dumping of household waste as well as post-beach party waste such as broken glass and pizza boxes being left on the beach or promenade”.
“We are appealing to the few who persist in littering or dumping to stop, or be faced with an on-the-spot litter fine of €150,” she said.