Almost 30 tents were removed from public areas in Athlone during 2022.
Under bye-laws proposed by Councillor John Dolan last year, Gardai along with the council have the power to confiscate erected tents.
The Fine Gael representative called for the bye-law to be passed following the erection of a number of tents outside council buildings.
While Councillor Dolan acknowledges some people have nowhere else to sleep he doesn't believe tents are the solution.
'There was a bye-law brought in there last year where tents on council land/public land can be removed.
I asked a question at the meeting last week and I was told that last year there was 30 tents removed in Athlone.
I know you don't want to see anyone that has no where to sleep but there has to be another solution found other than just handing tents out.
There's no point in bringing in a bye-law and it not being enforced but yeah, there was 30 tents taken out of Athlone last year.'
