A Councillor is calling for the public to report illegal dumping.
Westmeath county council is introducing drones in an attempt to detect illegal dumping.
It comes as over €4 million of taxpayers’ money was spent clearing illegally dumped waste across rural Ireland last year, with over 630 thousand euro spent cleaning in Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath.
Labour councillor Denis Leonard believes it's difficult to collect evidence of dumping in rural areas resulting in low prosecution rates.
He says it's vital the public report illegal dumping when they see it:
There's a renewed call for stricter penalties for illegal dumping.
Only 8 fines were issued for the offence in the Midlands last year.
Jacqueline Hogge, Investigative Journalist with Irish Country Living, says mountainous areas are especially blighted by illegal dumping.
Midlands Students Develop App To Support People Living With Scoliosis
Midlands Group To Deliver Ambulances To Uganda For Hospice Care
Laois Teen Wows Crowd At Greenfields Festival
Midlands Fundraiser Launched To Support Rural Communities In Africa
Ryanair Boss Criticises EU plan For Two Free Carry-ON Bags
Biodiversity Week Events To Take Place Across Laois, Offaly And Westmeath
Midlands 103 Shortlisted For Justice Media Awards
Teachers And SNAs Skydiving In Offaly For Life-Saving Surgery
Midlands Counties Go Purple To Raise Awareness Of Domestic Violence
Appeal Against Ashling Murphy Murder Conviction Set For July Hearing
Gardaí Issue M6 Update After Serious Collision
Man Jailed For 'Disturbing' Ex-Girlfriend Attacks After Breaking Suspended Sentence
RTÉ Back In Hot Water Over Presenter Salaries
Senior Member Of Crime Network Remains In Cusody
Offaly Carer Wins Regional Award
Summer Flights Going Ahead As Usual - Ryanair
Offaly TD Hopeful On STEM Officer Fund Solution
Ryanair Criticises Dublin Airport Expansion Plan
Midlands Broadcaster Honoured For Promoting Irish Culture
Offaly School Calls For Urgent Road Safety Measures