Flytippers are blasted for rubbish strewn on road

Flytippers are blasted for rubbish strewn on road

1 July 2015

BAGS of rubbish have been dumped illegally at a picturesque part of the district.

The bags, which were subsequently ripped open by dogs, were dumped close to St.Malachy’s Church in Kilclief.

Councillor Dermot Curran has criticised those responsible for dumping the waste and said he cannot understand the mentality of people who engage in such disgusting behaviour. He said the cost of removing the rubbish has to be met by the district’s ratepayers.

The local politician said residents are concerned a quiet rural road was chosen to dump household waste which could have been taken the short distance to Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s recycling centre at Downpatrick’s Cloonagh Road.

Councillor Curran said fly tipping was a major problem in the area a number of years ago and while there have been relatively few incidents since, he suggested what happened last week in Kilclief was “disturbing.”

He continued: “There are many ways for people to dispose of their waste properly. There is simply no excuse for what happened in Kilclief last week. So-called fly tipping results in a blot on the landscape and an image no one wants to see.

“I hope the culprits will realise that what they did is not supported by anyone, especially people in the rural community who have a healthy respect for where they live and appreciate their beautiful surroundings.

“There is simply no excuse for illegal dumping. I would appeal to people to get rid of their waste legally and not dump it in a quiet country road for someone else to cone along and clear up. I cannot understand why there are people prepared to dump waste in this manner.

“Removing waste illegally results in an unnecessary financial burden placed on ratepayers. Illegal dumping can range from the odd black bin bag dumped at the side of the road to more concentrated piles of waste which can include old household furniture or rubble. 

“It is hard to understand why in this day and age there are still people who, for some reason, point blankly refuse to dispose of their waste properly.”

“We place a lot of emphasis on attracting people to our part of the world. The last thing we want is for visitors to be greeted with rubbish and waste strewn along the side of the road.

“Maybe one way of addressing the issue is for stiff penalties to be handed down to anyone convicted for illegal dumping. The courts must send out a clear message that illegal dumping will not be tolerated.”