'Don't pay litter fines' as protest

A number of owners of business premises in Kilcullen have been issued with fines by the Litter Warden, but a leading member of Kilcullen Tidy Towns is urging them not to pay.

Warden Noel Geoghegan has also warned other businesses over the 'appalling' litter on the streets, in the hope that improvements can be brought about.

Under the litter laws, property owners are obliged to clear litter from outside their premises.

But Noel Clare of Kilcullen Tidy Towns Committee says those issued with fines should not pay them, on the grounds that Kildare County Council itself has not fulfilled its obligations to Kilcullen under the Litter Pollution Act 1997.

"With the exception of the (mostly) weekly visit by the street sweeper, Kildare County Council continue to do nothing to help remove litter from the streets," he told the Diary. "I would strongly suggest that those who have been issued fines refuse to pay them. Instead they, and indeed any other concerned Kilcullenite, should write to complain about the situation to Mr Joe Boland, Director of Services at KCC in Naas, and also to any or indeed all of our local public representatives."

Noel Clare adds that the litter management situation seems to be bad throughout the county, although he doubts that any other town of a similar size is treated as badly as Kilcullen.

"Just over a week ago, over 40 people from 11 towns and villages throughout the county came together in Celbridge at the invitation of the local Tidy Towns group there. As a result of that meeting delegates are requesting a separate and dedicated section of the Local Authority, to focus solely on the resolution of problems caused by litter and despoiling of the environment."

The next meeting of this group will take place in Aras Cill Dara on Dec 11 at 8 pm, where it is hoped to discuss the issues with public representative and Local Authority managers and officials.

Brian Byrne.