Littering and dumping in public, or in any place that is visible from a public place is an offence under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 as amended. Anyone identified as doing so will be issued with an on-the-spot litter fine of €250. If the fine is not paid within 21 days, Galway City Council will take legal action through the district court, where the maximum fine which can be imposed is €4,000.
On-the-spot fines will also be issued to anyone identified as having left items behind at any of Galway City Councils bring banks. When you have placed all your recyclable items into the relevant containers, please take any boxes/bags used to bring items to the bring banks away with you. If the banks are full, all items, including boxes/bags used to bring the items to the bring banks, must be taken away.
I have received a litter fine - How do I pay it?
You can pay:
- Online at https://www.fines.ie/ with the fine number and pin referenced on the fine letter.
- In person at the cash desk in City Hall, College Road, H91 X4K8 or over the phone on 091 536 400 (9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday)
What are the litter offences that can result in a litter fine being issued?
|
Offence No |
Amount of fine |
Description of Fine |
|
Section 3 (1) |
€250 |
Depositing a substance or object so as to create litter in a public place or litter that is visible to any extent from a public place. |
|
Section 3 (2) |
€250 |
Depositing for collection by or on behalf of a Local Authority a substance, material or thing in a manner that creates or tends to create litter in a public place or litter that is visible to any extent from a public place. Loading, transporting, unloading or otherwise handling or processing anything in a manner that creates or tends to create litter in a public place or litter that is visible to any extent from a public place. |
|
Section 3 (3) |
€250 |
Placing municipal waste into or near a litter receptacle. |
|
Section 4 (1) |
€250 |
Failing to take measures in using a vehicle to transport goods or materials to prevent the creation of litter on a public road or in a public place. |
|
Section 4 (2) |
€250 |
Failing to take measures to prevent the creation of litter in the vicinity of a skip. |
|
Section 6 (1) |
€250 |
Failing to keep a public place free of litter. |
|
Section 6 (2) |
€250 |
Failing to keep land free of litter that is visible to any extent from a public place. |
|
Section 6 (3) |
€250 |
Failing to keep land appurtenant to a residence that is let in two or more units free of litter that is visible from a public place. |
|
Section 6 (4) |
€250 |
Failing to keep a footpath or margin adjoining a public road free of litter. |
|
Section 6 (5) |
€250 |
Removing litter from a footpath or margin onto a road. |
|
Section 15 (1) |
€250 |
Failing to provide and maintain adequate litter receptacles to prevent the creation of litter in the vicinity of a mobile outlet. |
|
Section 15 (2) |
€250 |
Failing to remove litter caused by the operation of a mobile outlet in the vicinity of the outlet. |
|
Section 19 (1) |
€250 |
Exhibiting an advertising or other article or causing defacement of a structure, door, gate, window, tree, pole or other place. |
|
Section 19 (2) |
€250 |
Placing advertising material on a mechanically propelled vehicle. |
|
Section 21 |
€250 |
Distributing advertising material contrary to a bye-law. |
|
Section 22 |
€250 |
Failing to remove faeces deposited by a dog. |
How much will I be charged if I am issued a littering fine?
€250. When a Community Warden issues a Littering Fine, the person who receives it has 21 days, from the date of issue of the fine, to make payment.
If payment is not received within the 21-day period, court proceedings will be initiated.
Can I appeal a Littering Fine?
If you receive a Litter fine and you consider this action unjustified, you are entitled to lodge a written appeal.
Appeals should be sent to:
Environment Section, Galway City Council, College Road, Galway
Or by email to environment.section@galwaycity.ie
An appeal should be written clearly and legibly and include the following information:
- Name and address of the appellant
- Litter Fine Number
- Reason for the appeal and any supporting documentation
Only an appeal received by Galway City Council within 21 days of the issue of the date of the Fixed Charge Notice will be considered.
All supporting documents must be submitted as part of your original appeal application. Additional documents will not be accepted/considered once an appeal has been submitted.
When we receive your appeal, we will:
- Consider your appeal in conjunction with the evidence supplied by the Community Warden.
- Notify you in writing via email/post of our decision.
- Record details of your appeal for control and audit purposes.
I received a Litter Fine Payment Reminder; but have submitted an appeal, what should I do?
Litter fine reminders are automatically sent 7, 14 and 21 days after a fine has been issued, regardless of whether an appeal has been lodged or not.
The outcome of your appeal will be communicated to you by post or Email, and no further action is required by you until you receive confirmation of the outcome of your appeal.