High court rules on Vicarstown dump
A mobile image of the makeshift roadway made from waste products
A director of a waste management company has been ordered to remove a makeshift roadway, made from waste material, from his land near Vicarstown.
Mr Justice John Hedigan made the orders against Sean Doyle, a director with Oxigen Environmental Ltd and his wife Mary Doyle of Salterstown, Dunleer, County Louth, over the large scale illeagal dumping close to the Nore Barrow Special Area of Conservation.
It was first brought to Laois County Council’s attention in late 2011 when locals complained about a strong odour from the site.
Ann Marie Callan, LCC, said the council were very happy with the outcome from the High Court.
“Under the Waste Management Act 1996, the council sought a court order to have the waste removed and the site remediated. The Judge found that Laois County Council had produced satisfactory evidence that the roadway was non-inert and producing leachate, which can cause contamination to ground water and surface water,” she said.
The waste was being transported from the Oxigen facility in Dublin to the Vicarstown site.
Ms Callan said the council hoped the judge would make an order that the wate material be removed as soon as possible and work to clear the site could begin as early as May.
She said this ruling sent a clear message to landowners.
“The council will follow up on illegal dumping whether it’s through the local district court or the high court. The key point is that all waste must be displayed or stored on a site with a valid waste permit or planning permission,” she said.
Cllr Mulhall complimented the council on bringing court proceedings against the landowner.
“There was six and a half thousand tonnes of waste dumped at the site. Local anglers, the fisheries board and the council all look after the river and it’s terrible to see this happen, threatening their good work.
“To see that amount of waste coming in from a distance is wrong.”
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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