Call for new Garda powers to deal with illegal dumping

A local TD has called for radical new powers to be given to Gardaí and local authorities to stamp out illegal dumping – including the powers to seize vehicles.

Galway West deputy Noel Grealish (Ind) said these powers were necessary to stamp out “the scourge” of illegal dumping and the burning of rubbish.

“Additional powers have to be given to local authorities and An Garda Síochána, such as the power to seize vehicles, and I will be seeking emergency legislation in the Dáil to enable this. It might make these people think twice if the van or car they depend on was at risk of being taken away from them,” said Deputy Grealish.

“Hit them where it hurts,” he added.

Deputy Grealish said he had recently visited a site on the outskirts of Galway City that was overrun with rubbish that had been illegally dumped – most of which, he claimed, was being done by members of the Travelling Community.

“I visited a site recently late at night and witnessed the dumping and illegal burning, most of which was being perpetrated by members of the Traveller Community.

“Meanwhile, the perpetrators just carry on dumping and burning, knowing that there’s little chance of them being caught – and even if they were, what would they get but a rap on the knuckles and a fine,” he said.

However, the Galway Traveller Movement said it has been very proactive in tackling illegal dumping and that it was wrong to single out any one community as being the source of fly-tipping or illegal burning.

Margaret O’Riada of the Galway Traveller Movement said illegal dumping came from all sections of society.

“Illegal dumping is a big problem and we all need to work together to develop sustainable communities that meet the needs of everyone in the community while protecting and limiting the damage of the environment.

“No one community should be singled out for blame, as happens far too often for the traveller community,” said Ms O’Riada.

“We need to work towards sustainable communities that are economically, environmentally and socially healthy,” she continued.

Ms O’Riada said they were working hard to raise awareness around issues negatively impacting the environment and pointed to their ‘Bounce Back Recycling Scheme’, a social enterprise set up in 2017 that has recycled over 15,000 mattresses.

“Bounce Back, an innovative project managed by members of the Traveller Community, has taken a lead role in delivering a quality recycling service for the mattress amnesty days with the local authorities across the Connacht/Ulster waste management area,” she said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Grealish confirmed that he had been in contact with the Minister for the Environment, Richard Bruton, to arrange a meeting with him and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan, with a view to getting emergency powers through as soon as possible – something he said would give teeth to Gardaí and local wardens dealing with illegal dumpers.

Most people were good, law abiding citizens who paid reputable waste collectors to take away their waste and dispose of it in a legally and environmentally friendly way, said Deputy Grealish.

“Unfortunately, there is a small group of people who just do what they want and don’t care about others and the impact of what their actions might have on the lives of people and livestock who end up ill from poisoned water,” he added.