'We hope the message goes out that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated'
A Co Meath community’s vigilance in protecting their local bog paid off at Navan District Court when a man was prosecuted for dumping.
Before the court was 31-year-old John Connors with an address at The Cottage, Coolbawn, Ferns, Co Wexford who was prosecuted by Meath County Council for two counts under the Waste Management Act for dumping at Bohermeen Bog in 2019.
The court was told that following complaints from members of the Bohermeen community about dumping incidents at the bog, CCTV cameras were erected at Rathmore, Athboy.
On 9th May 2019 the cameras erected by the Environment Section of Meath County Council captured the arrival of a Hiace van. Two men emerged and dumped waste material on the bog.
Images were taken from the cameras and shown to Gardai at Kells. Some time later Garda Barrett happened to spot the vehicle and followed the matter up.
A solicitor for the council told Judge John O’Leary that dumping in that location was an ongoing issue. He was not saying that the defendant was responsible for all of it.
Defending solicitor Dermot Monahan said that his client was the father of three children on a total soial welfare payment of €400 a week. He had no previous convictions.
Judge O’Leary said: “So he’s supplementing his income with dumping?”
When the judge was told the defendant’s income, he said “And how much does he get from dumping?” The court was told he had been paid €150 for the dumping incident at the bog.
Saying that the court took a dim view of the incident, the judge imposed a fine of €500 with €2,158 costs and with six months to pay.
Commenting in the aftermath of the case, George Ryan of the Bohermeen Bog Development Ctte said the decision sent out a clear signal that this type of behaviour would not be tolerated any longer and added that he hoped the sentence would act as a serious deterrent to anyone thinking of dumping in the bog or indeed any part of our rural landscape.
"This comunity has taken ownership of the bog and turned what was an area known for illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour into a hugely popular amenity.
“We have worked very hard with the council and the local community to make it what it is today and we hope this decision does send a clear signal that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.”
In the last two years works on the bog have seen the inclusion a family picnic area, creation of looped walks as well as a massive community driven clean-up that saw over 40 tonnes of rubbish removed from the bog.
A statement from Meath County Council said it was “committed to the detection and prosecution of offenders who seek to profit from the destruction of our countryside and local amenity areas.”
“Credit is due to the vigilant local community who take great pride in their local area, undertaking enhancement works, litter picking, path maintenance, planting trees, hosting community awareness events, with the full support of the Council.
"All householders and businesses are responsible for their own waste. All waste collection service providers must be registered with the National Waste Collection Permit Office, www.nwcpo.ie.
"If you are giving your waste to a collector, please ensure they are registered or your waste may end up in the bog and You will be prosecuted."