Council in Louth should ‘make an example’ of illegal dumpers, meeting hears
CCTV cameras are set to be reinstalled at a persistent dumping hotspot in Dundalk, Louth County Council has confirmed.
The issue was raised at the latest meeting of Dundalk Municipal District, where Cllr Ciaran Fisher highlighted ongoing illegal dumping on Racecourse Road. He praised council staff for clearing previously dumped material and for the earlier installation of temporary CCTV cameras as part of the local authority’s anti‑littering programme.
However, he warned that the problem has resumed.
“It is happening again, into the waterways and shucks which feed into Dundalk Bay,” he said, noting that the bay is one of the largest breeding grounds for waterfowl in Europe.
Cllr Fisher urged the council to take stronger action and said similar issues are being reported on the Newry Road. Dumped materials have included “all manner of domestic waste,” he said, citing hoovers and engine oil among the items found.
“I really do think we need to make an example of someone to cut down on this,” he added.
Senior Executive Engineer Paddy Callan confirmed that the council is aware of the persistent dumping on Racecourse Road and is proposing to reinstall CCTV cameras at the location.
But he cautioned that the measure is “a temporary fix that doesn’t cure the problem.”
He said reports of dumping along the Newry Road would be forwarded to the council’s enforcement section for follow‑up.
Cllr Fisher suggested installing an agricultural-style gate to block vehicular access to one of the worst-affected areas, adding that local residents and landowners could be keyholders.
The calls for tougher enforcement came as new figures showed that Louth County Council’s litter wardens carried out 156 investigations during February following reports from the public.
The Chief Executive’s monthly report to councillors revealed twenty‑one Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued, while 39 complaints have been received so far in 2026.