DUNDALK’S FREE NEWSPAPER Planning for St Patrick’s Day Parade underway
“Children must be protected online”
Historic hotel will be restored to its former glory
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Wednesday, 14th February, 2024. Vol. 17, Issue 7 • 9A, Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth Tel: 042 932 0888. | Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com
Spy in the Sky
TY Ball Royalty!
New regulations will allow council to utilise CCTV and drone footage for prosecuting illegal dumping By Tamara O’Connell LOUTH County Council is able to avail of new high tech measures to tackle illegal dumping and fly tipping after Minister Ossian Smyth signed the regulations that will allow them. CCTV, drones and other technologies can now be used by local authorities around the country to prevent indiscriminate dumping. “It’s great news and is a very welcome development. People have been pushing for these new regulations for a long time,” said Sinn Fein Cllr Antoin Watters. “Illegal dumping and commercial
waste have been a huge issue in the North Louth area. Now technology such as drones can be used to help fight this problem. “People who dump illegally can now be fully prosecuted because there will be evidence to support the council’s case.” Illegal dumping and fly tipping occurs frequently in Co Louth with over 1,000 investigations in the county up to the end of November last. The local authority revealed that 1,090 investigations took place up to the end of November 2023. Anna Pyts, St Vincents Dundalk and Joshua Horwell,The Marist were Continued on Page 2 declared Queen and King of the recent TY Ball in Ardee.