JANUARY 2007

Council Clean up illegal dump at Redcastle

Donegal County Council has spent three days cleaning up an illegal dumpsite at the Lough Fad Public Water Supply near Redcastle. In just three days six lorry loads of waste amounting to approximately 100 -120 tonnes were removed from the site to the landfill. A further six truck loads of recyclable materials were taken tot he Civic Amenity Site in Carndonagh for recycling. The total clean up cost was approximately €3,800 for machinery and labour and was carried out as part of the annual clean up campaign.

According to council Waste Awareness Officer, Suzanne Tinney, those responsible for the illegal dumping at this site are now being investigated. "The nature of the waste dumped was a mixture of household and commercial waste. The Enforcement Officers of Donegal County Council have carried out some initial interviews and prosecutions may follow."

Among the materials removed from the site were plastic containers, dirty nappies, children's clothing, old carpet, food and beverage cans and glass bottles. Other waste removed from the site included oil drums, paint tins, tins of thinners, polystyrene, wooden pallets and parts from cars.

"Illegal dumping of any kind cannot be tolerated but this case is particularly shocking. The area where these materials were removed from at Lough Fad, is a Public Water Supply that supplies water to an area from Muff to Moville. The continued dumping of materials such as dirty nappies, oil drums, thinners and paint tins could have serious consequences for the future quality of the water supply. " said Suzanne Tinney. She added that the other point about the reckless dumping at this site is that it is only approximately 9 miles from the Civic Amemity Site in Carndonagh where much of the material dumped could have been brought for recycling.

"A full range of recycling services is available for householders at the Civic Amenity Site in Carndonagh. The Site is open every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 8.30am - 4. 30pm. The following materials are accepted at this site: Glass, Food & Beverage Cans, Paper, Cardboard, Plastic, Tetra Pak, Clothes, Books, CD's, Video Cassettes, Batteries, Waste engine & cooking oil, Furniture, Old Tools, Scrap Metal, White Goods (Fridges, cookers, washing machines etc.) Electrical Goods (Televisions, Microwaves, Computers, Toasters etc)". Suzanne added that householders and businesses should be ware that waste must only be given to a permitted waste collector as this guarantees that the waste is dealt with in an appropriate manner. "Illegal dumping of any nature will not be tolerated. Donegl County Council now employ six full time Litter Wardens who have powers under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 and the Waste Management Act, 1996. Donegal County Council continues to issue on-the-spot fines and take prosecutions for such illegal activities." Concluded Suzanne.

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