Twelve bags of rubbish fished out of canal in Tullamore but CCTV's on the way

Legislation to install CCTV's in littering black spots around Tullamore can't come soon enough for the Tullamore Tidy Town's committee.

Chairman, Shane Murray says they are finding it increasingly frustrating and disheartening to continue cleaning up after those who have no respect for the town or county.

''We have seen illegal dumping in all the back lanes. At the back of the Bridge Centre near the Millennium Bridge people are emptying the boots of cars into the river. It's hard to believe. It's only two weeks ago that we took 22 bags of rubbish out of the river and along the river bank. We have a fantastic otter population there and the water is clean.

"We took 12 bags out of the canal last Saturday. Three times over the Christmas break we cleaned up back lanes. Chancery Lane is as bad as ever, and it's not local people who are dumping, they are coming from other places in their cars and dumping.

"We need Offaly County Council to issue fines to those who are dumping. Without a deterrent it will continue,'' says Shane.

''It's very disheartening, we (Tidy Towns Committee) should be planting trees and spending money on other things. It's not fair on the outdoor staff of the council either having to go around picking up mattresses. They are fantastic and keep the town looking great,'' added Shane.

Just recently Tullamore Municipal District was forced to remove the bring banks at the Daingean Road car park due to the large amount of illegal dumping taking place there. Shane says the bring banks in the Bridge Centre also had to be removed.

He says modern CCTV's are great and the footage is very clear. Once local authorities are given the go ahead to install the cameras, a company will come and set them up in black spots. They are mobile so can be moved from place to place.

''They create revenue for the council and they pay for themselves This being an election year we need to get onto councillors and MPs to make sure this legislation is implemented. People want to see this, they don't want stuff dumped at their door.''

In fairness to the council, the town looks well and the Chamber do a good job,'' says Shane.

Councillor Declan Harvey has welcomed the legislation. Cllr Harvey has also helped out with clean ups and says ''we need to get those cameras up and running as soon as possible and catch those responsible for destroying our town.''