Wasn’t it a marvelous achievement last autumn for the Listowel Tidy Towns group winning an award Tidiest Small Town In Ireland 2015, 22 years after it first entered the National Tidy Town Award Competition. As residents we were all so proud of their achievement and proud to be living in such a beautiful and well maintained town.
2016— it’s all to play for again!
One can’t help noticing the Tidy Towns team out in such force again, continuing their great work with much dedication and enthusiasm. While other commitments may not allow us all to join the Tidy Town group, we all have a role to play. Let’s keep Listowel Tidy—let’s not litter—it is more than breaking the law, it is unsightly and it shows little pride of place.
It’s unlawful to litter
The Litter Pollution Act 1997 provides for penalties for people who litter. Leaving or throwing litter in a public place is an offence that can be subject to an on-the-spot fine of €150, or a maximum fine of €3,000 if you are convicted.
The legal definition of ‘litter’ includes everything from small bits of paper, dog fouling, cigarette ends to anything (whether large or small) that is, or is likely to become, unsightly.
Local authorities are responsible for providing and emptying litter bins, and scheduling cleaning programmes, but this does not take away our legal responsibility as citizens to play our part in the fight against littering and keeping our town well maintained.
Litter and private property
Did you know that if you are the owner or occupier of property, any outdoor area on your property that is visible from a public place must be kept free of litter? Failure to do this can result in a fine or prosecution by your local authority.
Dog fouling
One of the negative comments regarding Listowel in relation to the Tidy Town competition, and an area that has prevented the town from winning the award in the past, was the significant amount of dog fouling around the town bounds. It is great to see people out walking their dogs, but take responsibility for your pet and pick up!
Just to let you know where the law is on this point—Dog owners must remove their pets’ waste from public places and dispose of it in a proper manner. This obligation applies to the following places:
¨ Public roads and footpaths;
¨ Areas around shopping centres;
¨ School/sports grounds;
¨ Beaches;
¨ The immediate area surrounding another person’s house.
The Tidy Town judges visit Listowel twice between June to August. The very best of luck in the completion from all at Pierse Fitzgibbon.
Supporting Listowel Tidy Towns
Representing you…Protecting you
