Updated 8.24
LESS THAN A third of all litter fines in the Dublin City Council area are being paid, according to information released to a councillor.
6,259 fines were issued across Dublin city between 2013 and 2015. Only 2,042 were paid in full with a further 77 fines being partially paid.
In total, 1,913 fines were appealed, of which 665 were successfully appealed.
1,741 prosecutions for non-payment of fines were initiated but only 173 convictions were obtained.
The information was released to councillor Cieran Perry, who said it was vital all fines are pursued “so that illegal dumpers fear getting caught”.
With the present system the chance of an illegal dumper getting prosecuted is slim. There is no deterrent.
In response, DCC has said that “Dublin City Council attempts to pursue all fines that remain unpaid through the courts. The challenge that faces the council is successfully serving summonses on people who have failed to pay in order to obtain successful convictions.”
DCC added that the it is constantly looking to improve the success of enforcement through investigations of illegal dumping using CCTV, waste collection surveys and inspections in the city.
In the years 2014 and 2015 the council paid €670,000 and €640,000 respectively to collect illegally dumped litter.
However, according to Perry, these figures do not include the removal of litter from flat complexes or parks.
“The council don’t appear to give the issue of illegal dumping the attention it deserves,” the councillor said.
“Illegal dumping is a huge issue and I’ve been highlighting it for years but I’m not convinced that the Council have the will to seriously tackle the issue.”
Payments of fines must be done by calling up DCC waste management service. To appeal a fine, a form must be completed and the person is required to set out the grounds for the appeal and the evidence to support it.
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