Illegal posters tackled

A bigger emphasis on targeting illegal posters will begin from this weekend.

It comes as City Hall has seen a rise in the number of illegal signs and posters across the city.

Cork City Council Litter Warden Service has confirmed that it will be targetting illegal signage across the entire city, including the extended boundary areas of Glanmire, Douglas, Blarney and Ballincollig, from Saturday 1 February.

Under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, a person who is not the owner, occupier or person in charge cannot place a poster on any structure or other land, including doors, gates, windows, trees, poles or posts that are in or are visible from a public place.

For those who flout the rules, it will mean a €150 fine for each sign or poster.

These rules do not apply to political posters being erected during the run up to an election.

Michael Sheehan from Cork City Council's Waste Enforcement and Cleansing Operations Unit said: “We would like to remind all individuals, businesses, political groups, estate agents, sporting clubs/associations and schools of the provisions of Section 19 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 with regard to illegal postering.

“There has been a noticeable increase in the frequency and volume of illegal signage across the city. These signs detract from the amenity of the areas that they are erected in and often are erected in such a manner as to create a hazard for both vehicular traffic and for pedestrians. Cork City Council’s postering protocol caters for the erection of temporary posters in a limited number of cases in a controlled manner having regard to public safety,” Mr Sheehan concluded.