Dead animals exacerbate illegal dumping concerns

Illegal dumping has plumbed new depths in Ballinasloe that local volunteers this week revealed they have collected bags containing dead animals and birds.

The gruesome findings have led to calls for Galway County Council to address the problem along the local the slip road adjacent to the motorway which has become a fly-tip for rubbish.

The discovery of a dead lurcher dog and bags containing around 15 dead wild ducks and pheasants disgusted those who spend much of their spare time cleaning up what is being dumped on the side of the road.

A deputation from Ballinasloe met with Galway County Council officials and councillors to highlight the need for CCTV cameras to be installed and monitored along this stretch of road, which is very popular with walkers.

Local lock keeper, Doc Coyne, spends much of his spare time gathering rubbish that is illegally dumped – not alone along the slip but also in the nearby bog close to the old town dump at Poolboy.

Prior to last Christmas, he collected around 50 bags of rubbish from the side of the road which were taken away by local Council workers for disposal.

Since Christmas he has collected almost as many which is why the local authority have been asked to immediately address the problem.

It is understood that the Council and local residents have their suspicions about who are responsible for the illegal dumping in the area but do not have sufficient proof to warrant legal proceedings against the offenders.

“There was always a problem with illegal dumping in Ballinasloe but over the past year it has gotten worse.

“We regularly come across bags full of dirty nappies and plastic bottles as well as other domestic waste.

“But to find bags containing the dead dog and that ducks and pheasants was utterly disgusting. But the time we found them, the decaying process had already kicked in so the smell was terrible. It just has to stop,” Doc Coyne added.

Locals who use the slip road for their daily walks are also outraged over the level of dumping that has taken place. There are now fears that it will result in an infestation of vermin along the road.

“I am just sick and tired of it at this stage,” Doc Coyne said. “Nearly every morning before work I am picking up bags full of rubbish that have been left behind. It is outrageous what is happening.”

The fact that the slip road is relatively secluded means that those responsible are not spotted dumping their illegal domestic waste which is why there are demands for CCTV cameras to be installed.

The bog and the old canal are also popular dumping grounds for rubbish. “There are signs up advising the public not to dump there and states that there are CCTV cameras in operation but everyone know that this is not the case,” Doc said.

The deputation spent almost an hour outlining the problem with illegal dumping in Ballinasloe and are demanding that the Council come back to them shortly with proposals to bring the situation under control.