King to have fly-tippers caught by broad daylight             

HOPING to have the nefarious machinations of fly-tippers exposed by broad day light is Sinn Fein’s Cathal King.

The Newry councillor tabled a motion before last night’s (Monday’s) full council meeting  to assess the feasibility of solar powered CCTV camera’s at known dumping hotspots.

“This Council recognises the ongoing issue of illegal dumping across our district and the associated environmental, health, and financial costs.

“We note the recent steps taken by Louth County Council to introduce solar-powered CCTV cameras as part of their anti-dumping strategy and believe similar measures should be explored locally.

“Therefore, this Council will investigate the feasibility of deploying solar-powered CCTV at known dumping hotspots within Newry, Mourne, Down and South Armagh, engage with Louth County Council to learn from their approach, and bring forward a report detailing potential locations, costs, funding options, and legal considerations, with a view to implementing this as part of a wider anti-dumping initiative.  

“Furthermore, this Council will write to the DAERA Minister requesting information on all available support and funding for such measures to tackle illegal dumping effectively across the district.” 

 Given the fact that many of the worst fly-tipping hotspots within the council area are in close proximity to the border, councillor King iterated the necessity of a cohesive cross border approach to effectively ameliorate  the problem.  

Cross-Border Approach

“As Sinn Féin, we are clear that problems in border areas need joined-up, cross-border solutions said Councillor King.

“ Illegal dumping does not stop at the border and many of the worst hotspots in South Armagh are directly linked to neighbouring counties, which is why cooperation is essential.”

According to the Sinn Fein representative he has been receiving reports regarding the problems of fly tipping within his own DEA since he was first elected over three years ago.       

“Since being elected in December 2022, and especially over the past year, I’ve been made aware of dumping incidents on a very regular basis, often in the same locations time and again. “I receive reports directly from residents and landowners and I also work closely with council staff who monitor and respond to these incidents. Unfortunately, this is not an occasional issue, it is recurring.

“In the border areas I represent areas such as the Flagstaff, the Dublin Road, Killean, the Fathom Line and surrounding rural roads illegal dumping has been a persistent problem, particularly in isolated lay-bys, forestry entrances and back roads that run close to or cross the border.

“People are understandably frustrated because they feel they are reporting the same problem repeatedly. In many cases, dumping is cleared only for it to reappear a few weeks later. That cycle is exactly why we need stronger deterrents, not just ongoing clean-ups.”

As Cathal explains he first became aware of the potential solution of solar powered CCTV cameras after liaising with a number of party colleagues in Louth county council.   

Solar powered solution

“I first became aware of the solar-powered CCTV initiative in County Louth through discussions with Sinn Féin colleagues over the past year and through the Strategic Alliance Group between Louth County Council and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

“Louth County Council secured over €100,000 through the Irish Government’s Anti-Dumping Initiative to support a range of measures, including solar-powered CCTV at known blackspots. That level of funding shows that the Irish Government and its departments are taking this issue seriously.

“Recent reports from Louth indicate that the CCTV has already recorded incidents of illegal dumping, which is encouraging and shows the system can provide useful intelligence and act as a deterrent. Even where no dumping has been detected at certain sites, that in itself may suggest that the presence of cameras is changing behaviour before enforcement action is even needed.

“The funding secured in Louth also gives a realistic indication of what a small pilot scheme here might cost and it highlights the importance of securing external funding so that local ratepayers are not unfairly burdened. With support from DAERA we should be able to pursue similar funding, identify priority locations and rotate cameras to maximise coverage.

“We want to see the Minister and his department take this seriously to come and see Newry and our rural areas including places like Flagstaff Viewpoint and Slieve Gullion, and understand how illegal dumping damages both the environment and the visitor experience. The Irish Government has already invested significantly in tackling this problem 10-15mins across the border and we want to see the same level of commitment here, with a joint cross-border approach between DAERA and their counterparts, because this is a shared problem that needs a shared solution.

“As Sinn Féin, we believe environmental protection and community wellbeing go hand in hand. People deserve clean and safe surroundings, especially as we promote tourism and major projects like the Narrow Water Bridge, which will bring more traffic through these routes. This motion is about giving the council another practical tool to protect our communities and our countryside.”