Councillor claims illegal dumping at Laois quarry

A LAOIS councillor intends to take photographs and provide witnesses to prove his case that persistent illegal dumping is taking place at a quarry, when he called on the council to “address the constant dumping issues at Spink Quarry to include signage and monitoring.” 

However, cllr Walsh’s assertion that dumping is taking place at the quarry was rejected by the senior executive officer at the Community Department of Laois County Council Georgina Ireland.

She informed councilors at the April meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District Council that the council’s litter warden: “Inspected the location on 9 April and found no evidence of dumping at the entrance to Spink Quarry. Having undertaken a review of the environmental complaints received over the past three year period, to date, no complaints were lodged in relation to this location. However, the site will be kept under review by environment staff.” 

In response cllr Barry said: “I’ll take pictures the next time and get witnesses, but I have seen it there. Locals are removing it all the time themselves. They pull in at the top of the hill where there’s a wide area in the early hours of the morning and dump their rubbish out. Hopefully if the quarry opens up again the dumping that’s going on there might be reduced."