Concern is being expressed that littering in Clare is actually on the up, despite the number of on-the-spot fines falling.
Figures released by Clare County Council show that 111 fines were issued for littering in this county last year.
131 fines were issued for littering in Clare in both 2016 and 2017, but that number dropped to 111 last year.
Ennis saw the highest number of fines, with 33, while 31 were issued in the area covered by the West Clare Municipal District.
Seven of those fines were in Kilrush.
28 people were fined for littering in the Shannon Municipal District, with 19 in East Clare.
Vice-Chair of Ennis Tidy Towns Teresa McGrath says despite this, they’re seeing more rubbish than ever.
Paul Edson of the Kilrush Tidy Towns committee, meanwhile, says it can often be small items that people think nothing of discarding.
But he feels the biggest challenge will be shifting people’s mindset.
Of the 111 fines – which amount to up to €150 each – 14 were left unpaid as of the end of last year. The Council collected €6,900 in charges last year.
