The Galway City Council has been accused of "apathy" and a "lack of action" over the issue of illegal dumping, with a local election candidate claiming that such dumping is "spiralling out of hand".
This is the view of Owen Hanley, the Social Democrats' Galway City East candidate, who said the situation was summed up by the recent discovery of an entire bathtub which had been discarded in Merlin Woods. "Everyone is Galway is aware of the littering issues, with Ballybane being the most littered urban area in the entire country," he said, "but harmful or non-biodegradable rubbish hurts our natural plant and animal life which in turn makes our air less healthy.’
Mr Hanley is calling for littering and CCTV warning signs around Merlin Woods, and for City Hall to enforce illegal dumping fines. He said the local authority must also introduce "new and accessible council-funded recycling measures" which allow residents to "responsibly get rid of their waste", and with ease.
Mr Hanley is also encouraging local vigilance, and for public support for the community clean-up crews which meet in Merlin Woods and Terryland Forest next Sunday and Saturday week respectively.
