New anti-littering CCTV cameras register zero detections – ‘In a way it is successful’

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

A new CCTV system has been rolled out across Louth in a bid to curb illegal dumping.

The system is currently operating at two sites in Dundalk, the Racecourse Road and Williamson’s Place. A third has been installed in Drogheda at King Street car park bring bank.

With an aim to “deter people from committing waste and litter offences” the council say cameras will be installed at a number of additional locations across the county in the coming weeks.

Speaking at the September meeting of Louth County Council, Cllr. Antoin Watters said there was positive feedback from the public on the new CCTV scheme, and asked how it had impacted the rate of detections.

He highlighted other “litter blackspots” including Edentubber in north Louth, and asked where the cameras would be moved to going forward.

Cllr. John Reilly welcomed the new system, but added that it is “not covert” as the council were informing the public about the locations.

"In Louth we are still plagued by diesel sludge dumping. But if we put cameras up that people know about, are we going about it the wrong way?

Director of Service at Louth County Council, David Hanratty, added: “In a way it is successful as it is acting as a deterrent, but the problem with it is that we are getting zero detections.”

He said there were some people spotted going into the bring bank and taking the clothes, causing a bit of littering, but aside from that there were no other detections, something which he added “ showed the good and bad of the scheme.”

The system would be on a “rolling basis” and the council would take on board requests for cameras at other locations, and would assess where litter wardens might notice particular problems.

The dumping of laundered diesel waste was an issue being tackled by Gardai and the Revenue Commissioners, he added.