Thirty prosecutions for littering in south Dublin were heard in court during the month of November 2021.
At a recent Clondalkin area meeting, South Dublin County Council Mayor Peter Kavanagh asked the council for the total number of successful prosecutions for littering in the county over the last three years from 2019-2021.
According to SDCC, there were 19 prosecutions for littering in the county in 2019.
Only five prosecutions occurred in 2020 due to restrictions in court settings.
However, 2021 saw 30 prosecutions for littering in the county.
Mayor Peter Kavanagh said: “I’m happy to see the council taking action on illegal dumping, and it’s clear that we all know there is a lot to be done, both proactively and reactively, to tackle this.”
In response, SDCC said: “During 2020 and 2021 there were no District Court sittings for extended periods of time.
“The 30 successful prosecutions in 2021 were all heard in the District Court during the month of November, many of these cases were originally listed for hearing on various dates in 2020. Data on successful prosecutions is not currently recorded on the basis of LEAs (local electoral areas)."
Recently residents in Clondalkin were outraged over the illegal dumping of chairs, tables, and household waste in St Cuthbert's park.
Cllr Francis Timmons told Dublin Live there is a lot of anger in the community over the dumping of household items such as chairs, tables, and other waste.
He said: "The illegal dumping is ongoing at St Cuthbert's Park. It's a small minority who are doing it, who have no regard for their community.
"It's infuriating that people are getting away with it. It's not just litter, this is serious dumping with tables and chairs and everything."
Dropping or leaving litter in a public place or in a place that is visible from a public place is an offence, which is subject to a fixed penalty notice of €150 or to a fine not exceeding €4,000 through the Courts.
A person convicted of a litter offence may also be required by the Court to pay the costs incurred by the Council in investigating the offence and in bringing the prosecution to Court.
For more information and to check out South Dublin County Council's litter management plan for 2020-2022 and Bye-Laws for household and commercial waste click here.
To report litter or illegal dumping to the council email info@sdublincoco.ie or call 01-4149000 or 24 hour lo-call telephone number 1800 365 123.
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