Calls for drones to be deployed to combat 'persistant' illegal dumping at Clareabbey

An Ennis Municipal District councillor has called for CCTV and drone technology to be "introduced as a matter of urgency" to tackle illegal dumping at Clareabbey.

Cllr Paul Murphy submitted a motion to the Ennis MD meeting this Tuesday, May 7, asking that "CCTV/drone technology is introduced as a matter of urgency and that this area is prioritised".

"Since the construction of the Ennis Bypass and associated road network the level of dumping here has accelerated almost beyond belief," Cllr Murphy's motion stated.

Speaking at the Ennis MD meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Murphy went on to say that increased access to Clareabbey due to the Ennis Bypass has had a knock on effect of improving access for illegal dumping in one of Clare's most beautiful historic sites.

"This behaviour is so sickening", the Fine Gael councillor for Ennis said, asking that Ennis MD "look at this as a matter of urgency".

In response to Cllr Murphy's motion, senior executive engineer Brendan Flynn stated that there are "some key points to note" on the use of CCTV under the statutory Code of Practice for the “Operation of CCTV for the Purposes of Prevention, Detection & Prosecution of Waste Offences”.

Read More: Health minister launches review on need for second Emergency Department in Mid-West

The recently published code "aims to cover the required criteria for appropriate use of CCTV systems", which local authorities are permitted to operate to combat illegal dumping under section 14A of the 1996 Waste Management Act.

According to Mr Flynn, the code sets out that a local authority must "firstly establish an Oversight Board", and must consider "less intrusive measures to deter, prevent, detect, and prosecute offences under the Act of 1996".

"Use of CCTV for Waste Management offences is a temporary measure and cannot be not used for general patrol/surveillance," he continued.

Mr Flynn's reply also outlined requirements around data protection and for "sufficent and adequete notice" for members of the public.

"The council will continue to review the use of CCTV for the purposes of Prevention, Detection and Prosecution of Waste Offences," he added.