Send clear message to 'disgusting' litter louts

I live in the Downshire area of Carrickfergus in a confluence of routes used by school children to and from about four schools and by adults returning from a night out, frequently complete with a carryout and some liquid refreshment.

Most days there is a litter problem. Downshire station is usually carpeted with paper litter, plastic and glass bottles.

The schools cannot be blamed as the problem is extra-mural, but the parents certainly are for their lack of guidance - and in many cases are just as guilty of causing litter as the children.

The situation is getting worse. Last winter, on one early, sunny Sunday morning, I came across a well-fed looking rat breakfasting off the remains of a chicken supper from a tray in a driveway. Close by was a cider bottle with some liquid remaining; a well chosen spot by the rodent.

I grabbed and emptied the bottle and after rinsing put it in my recycling box; well, one cannot let the rodent have everything its own way!

Despite the valiant efforts of our hard working and conscientious council street cleaner, Carrickfergus town centre is often a mass of rubbish, especially on a Monday morning.

What to do? Well, more litterbins might help, but hefty fines and good-natured appeals seem largely ineffective.In my opinion, one must really penetrate the self esteem of those who continually cause litter. With this in mind, I have seen a notice in Dublin that simply states: “Litter is disgusting and so are those responsible.”

According to my casual observation, the litter problem in the central area of Dublin is much less obvious and I think this slogan is largely responsible.

John Hulme

Carrickfergus