Fly-tipping crackdown as CCTV returning to Co Galway bring banks
Council officials confirmed the cameras will be reintroduced at bring banks across the county, telling last month's meeting of Galway County Council that the move is aimed at deterring fly-tipping and other misuse of the recycling sites.
The decision follows a recent incident in Mountbellew where a sofa was illegally dumped beside the bring bank.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Connolly welcomed the move, describing the dumping as unacceptable.
"It is unbelievable what people think is acceptable," he said.
"I am delighted CCTV will be reintroduced."
Cllr Connolly said removing bring banks from communities because of the actions of a minority would unfairly punish responsible residents who rely on the facilities to recycle glass, cans and cardboard.
"People say to take them out of the locality, but then the general public will have no place to dispose of boxes and cans," he said.
He recalled that CCTV had previously been installed at bring banks, with offenders issued fines for illegal dumping, before the cameras were removed because of GDPR concerns.
"However, that issue has now been resolved," he added.
Council officials told councillors that local community groups receive grants to monitor bring bank sites and notify the local authority when recycling bins are full.
They confirmed CCTV would now be reinstated as an additional deterrent against illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour at the facilities.
Cllr Connolly said he intends to keep the issue on the council agenda until the cameras have been installed.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.