Interview - Aideen Feeney,Litter Warden

“The One Woman Army Of County Sligo”- was the reference Pat Kenny used in an interview with Aideen. Aideen Feeney, Sligo’s Litter Warden was born and reared in Yeats County and believes wholeheartedly that the enhancement of our environment and protection of our natural resources is a serious concern not only for Sligo County Council but for our community as a whole.

- Aideen Feeney, Litter Warden

Q. What career move directed you to the Post of Litter Warden with Sligo County Council?
A. After I graduated from St Paul’s, Teacher Training College, Coventry I came back to Ireland and taught in various National Schools for twenty-two years. I then took a break from teaching for a few years. I saw temporary post advertised for Revenue Collector and I did that for short while. I was then was appointed Sheep Dip Inspector for two years. In July 1992 the position of Litter Warden became vacant and I was appointed on a partime basis but in March 2001 it was made a full time position and I was supplied with a van.

Q. What responsibility do you have as a Litter Warden?
A. As an Enforcement Officer with Sligo County Council under the Litter and Pollution Act 1996, I have the authority to issue ”on the spot” fines and also take Litter Offenders to court. If litter is left in a public place, or even anywhere visible from a public place, it is an offence and we will take action.

Q. What progress have you seen in area of litter control?
A. Firstly, in 1997 there twenty-five illegal dumping sites and we have reduced this with the help of the Council and the community to three to date.

The Council also combats the increasingly worrying problem of dog fouling, which can be dangerous and unsightly and can spoil coastal resorts, schools, playgrounds, footpaths and in particular the beaches. We launched a ”Poop and Scoop” campaign in March 2001 to combat this problem.

We also launched the ”National Litter Pollution Monitoring System”. This is an ongoing process where the aim is to find the source of the problem, identify it and then take the necessary steps to solve the problem. I also believe that the introduction of the Litter Warden’s van is an added bonus as it’s important to be seen and the mobile number is very clear on the side.

Q. You have maintained close contact with the National Schools?
A. I have visited over forty national schools in the county and I was pleasantly surprised and very encouraged by the interest these young people show in the protection of the environment. The children in these schools are the adults of tomorrow, and I’m convinced they will not be the litter offenders of tomorrow. The Junior Litter Wardens in the schools take their role seriously and are very vigilant and they all take part in the various competitions we run.

Q. Your work is not exclusively about pursuing litter offenders?
A. I have also been appointed Council Trading Officer where traders must purchase a licence to operate a stall, at the moment the levy is €400 per year. I help to enforce this system and anyone without a licence must be removed – sometimes this can get quite difficult.

The recent campaign to implement long life bags has been very successful and the provision for plastic bottles on all sites is up and running. We are also starting a pilot scheme where newspapers can be disposed off on site. Sligo County Council will be paying for it initially.

Aideen finished off by saying that she is always grateful to the public for all the support in reporting claims and through community groups, organisations and Tidy Towns committees.