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CCTV for Muff recycling centre
22.04.08
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THE illegal dumping of
household waste has led Donegal County Council to
install floodlight and closed-circuit TV cameras at
the Muff recycling centre adjacent to St Mary’s Hall
in the village.
The recycling centre, which is run in collaboration
between the council and Meitheal Mhaighe, the Muff
Community Development Association, has proven
popular with the local community, most of whom use
it properly to recycle glass, food and beverage cans
and clothing. But a small minority have abused the
facility. |
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“It’s a very big
problem and the area just couldn’t be kept clear,”
said local woman Phyllis McKenna.
“Bags of waste were strewn all over the place. I saw
one woman, who I thought looked quite well to do,
carry two bags of rubbish from her car. She just
dumped them there and drove off and when I
investigated further I discovered it was household
rubbish.” |
“The service is there
and the demand for it exists, but it’s being abused
by the public and isn’t always properly managed by
the council,” said Mura McLaughlin of the Muff
Development Association. “It would be a pity to lose
it, but we hope this will help solve some of the
problem dumping.”
The council footed the bill for the erection of the
floodlights and CCTV and has also agreed to screen
off the banks. The council and the Meitheal Mhaighe
caretaker try to keep the area tidy, and the council
regularly empties the banks.
“We’ve already viewed footage of people who have
dumped household waste, and one where someone
disposed of a car battery,” Mr McLaughlin continued,
“and we’ll be taking the appropriate action.”
Convictions for littering and dumping offences have
traditionally been quite low with the council
preferring to emphasise education and encouraging
people to change their ways rather than punishment.
However, with the recent appointment of a litter
warden for Inishowen, that may change. |
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