Looking back at 2022: May - Dumping in Longford at endemic levels

Just 169 out of a total of 316 financial sanctions handed out between 2020 and February this year were settled, returning an overall compliance rate of just over 53 per cent.

The figures were contained in a Longford Leader investigation carried out into an issue which a growing number of local polticians believe in now at “endemic” levels countywide.

Those cautionary soundings follows revelations that over 540 tonnes of illegal rubbish have been removed by Longford County Council since the beginning of 2020 with clean up costs and legal fees amounting to almost €180,000.

They also reveal how the local taxpayer has been left out of pocket with under five per cent or just over €4,000 being recouped by the council in hunting down illegal fly-tippers.

In a further revelation, under half, or 21 out of 43 court cases taken by the council resulted in successful prosecutions.

“As far as I am concerned, the fines handed out are not enough,” said Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Peggy Nolan.

The figures also showed how irritating neighbours, roaming animals and harassment were among the chief complaints made about anti-social behaviour to Longford County Council, it has emerged.

Almost 40 accusations of nuisance neighbours were recorded between 2020 and February of this year along with more than 30 claims linked to harassment, intimidation, noise, and vandalism.

Fears surrounding the reporting of such incidents also led to over 20 anonymous tip-offs. That resulted in over 80 warnings being issued by local authority housing bosses since January 2020.

Of those, just one case of eviction proceedings was taken by the council.

The data was available to the Longford Leader under the Freedom of Information Act.