LIVE: Bottle banks cut open in Tipperary to reclaim money from Deposit Return Scheme

Bottle banks have been cut open in Tipperary by people wanting to reclaim money from the Deposit Return Scheme.

Cllr Liam Browne said: "The law of unintended consequences kicks in, in funny ways.

"This is the scene from the bottle bank at the recycling centre this morning.

"In an attempt to reclaim money from the recycling scheme. The bottle banks have been cut open to retrieve bottles."

Under the Deposit Return Scheme, when you buy a drink in a container with the re-turn logo, you are charged a small refundable deposit. You can then claim back the levy by returning the empty container.

This bottle and can recycling system is known as the Deposit Return Scheme. The scheme began on February 1, 2024.

The cost of the deposit is automatically added to the cost of the drink.

You can get your deposit by returning your containers as long as they are empty and undamaged.

Cllr Browne added: "The level of anti-social behaviour in town, has become completely unacceptable.

"Over the weekend, the GAA club was broken into, causing thousands of euro worth of damage, cars has been broken into, or damaged. Houses have been broken into.

"And still no extra resources for ordinary gardaí trying to patrol the town.

"Almost two weeks ago, I wrote to the Superintendent in Clonmel, asking him to come to a meeting in Cashel, to explain the lack of policing in town, and future plans for the upgraded Garda station.

"As of today, I've no even got an acknowledgement that I wrote. This is unacceptable

"The town is being terrorised by a tiny minority of people who act with impunity, and something really has to be done about it."