Junior Environment Minister Champions New Powers In Illegal Dumping Fight, Cites Kerdiffstown Imprisonment As Success Case

Wednesday, 27 March 2024 15:41

By Martin Osborne

There were no illegal dumping fines issued by Kildare County Council in 2023.

Speaking on the heels of a successful criminal prosecution related to an illegal dump in Kerdiffstown, Junior Environment Minister, Ossian Smyth, highlighted the tangible outcomes of concerted law enforcement effort to tackle illegal dumping.

He made the remarks following announcements that €10 million has been earmarked for the reinforcement of three regional Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs).

The authorities are expected to be instrumental in co-ordinating waste management efforts among local councils and enforcing regulations concerning illegal dumping.

They have been granted enhanced powers and a substantial funding injection aimed at curbing unlawful disposal practices.

There were no illegal dumping fines issued by Kildare County Council in 2023.

Last year, the retired director of a waste management company - who was convicted over the illegal operation of a landfill site in Kerdiffstown - was sentenced to three years in jail at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the final 12 months of the sentence suspended.

Tony Dean,70, from Woodhaven, Milltown in Dublin was found guilty by a jury last November of three offences contrary to the Waste Management Act 1996, in a case led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Almost €61 million of public money has since been spent to remediate the site.

The Kerdiffstown Landfill Remediation Project commenced in November 2020, with a contract date for completion of construction set for April 2025.

Kildare County Council recently confirmed that the project is at the final stages of development, almost a year ahead of schedule.

The new public park will include 3 full-size all-weather pitches, a playground, paths and walking trails.

Commenting on the case, Deputy Smyth said: "You can't reach some people who are actual criminals, who are involved in dumping for money, through awareness campaigns. You're not going to appeal to their better nature. So in that case, you need to gather evidence, and you need prosecutions, and we need to see that happening more frequently."

He added: "So in Kerdiffstown, for example, there was an illegal dump. The person who was operating that dump is now in prison, and the dump has been converted back to parkland. So there's a gain, an amenity for the public has been returned."

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