First CCTV conviction for illegal dumping at Tullow recycling centre
The recycling centre at Thomas Traynor Street, Tullow.
A WOMAN was fined €1,500 after she was convicted of illegal dumping at Tullow Recycling Centre in what Carlow Co Council says is the first conviction secured using evidence from its CCTV anti-dumping programme.
Bridget Cash, Rathbawn, Tullow, Co Carlow, was convicted at a recent sitting of Carlow District Court of an offence under section 3 of the .
The court heard evidence from Aidan McDermott of RiteView Solutions, which operates CCTV surveillance at the recycling centre on Thomas Traynor Street, Tullow. He told the court that footage from 18 November 2025 captured a Volkswagen Passat at the site.
Carlow Co Council environmental patrol officer James Lakes told the court that he had viewed the CCTV footage, which showed Ms Cash and another individual depositing litter at the location. Mr Lakes said his investigation established that the registered owner of the vehicle was Ms Cash.
The court heard that the council had issued a litter fine, which was delivered to Ms Cash by registered post on 12 February. When the fine went unpaid, a reminder letter was sent, followed by an order from the council’s chief executive authorising legal proceedings, which was also handed in as evidence.
The council’s solicitor, David Clery, applied for costs and expenses of €506.82, made up of €406.82 in clean-up costs and a further €100 in expenses.
The court heard that Ms Cash has no previous convictions.
Judge Miriam Walsh imposed a fine of €1,500 plus costs of €506.82, giving Ms Cash three months to pay. The court also granted an order under section 25 of the directing that the fine and costs be made payable to the local authority.
Carlow Co Council has welcomed the conviction, noting it followed an investigation by its environment department after the dumping incident was captured on CCTV. The surveillance system was introduced to deter illegal dumping and to help identify and prosecute offenders.
The conviction comes as the council expands its CCTV programme following the approval of €47,232 in funding under the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment’s 2026 Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI).
Liam Carroll, senior executive officer with the council’s environment department, said the case marked a significant milestone: “This successful prosecution demonstrates that illegal dumping will not be tolerated in Co Carlow. It is particularly significant as it is the first conviction secured using evidence from our CCTV monitoring programme.
“The recent Anti-Dumping Initiative funding will allow us to expand the scheme to a further 11 sites, enhancing our ability to detect offences and take enforcement action. We hope this case sends a clear message that illegal dumping can result in prosecution, substantial fines and a criminal conviction.”
The council encourages the public to dispose of waste responsibly through authorised waste collection services and civic amenity facilities and to report incidents of illegal dumping to its environment department.
