Illegal dumping ‘health hazard’ at Navan apartment complex

Residents of the Steeples apartment complex in Navan say an ‘obnoxious smell’ from rubbish dumped in the complex is a health hazard.

“The smell is obnoxious, it is a health hazard. It would make you sick. At night I have to fight off the flies and get them out of the house,” said one resident.

The dumping is taking place in the common part of the complex and includes household waste as well as drink cans and drug paraphernalia.

The apartment development has also had a problem with anti-social behaviour and drug taking in its car park and in communal areas for some time.

“The mess is absolutely terrible. The dumping is mainly in a three or four metre area inside the wall,” he said.

“They dump everything from old televisions and washing machines to bottles, drink cans and all sorts of stuff. There are also back plastic bags of household rubbish and the smell is terrible. It attracts so many flies and it is a nightmare in this hot weather.”

“It needs to be cleaned up, I'm afraid it will attract rats. It is ridiculous. I have contacted the management company, the council and the HSE, but it doesn't seem as if anything is being done.”

Another local resident spoke of the drug taking in the area.

“It is very frightening and intimidating. We find syringes and tinfoil all over the place,” she said.

“Whenever I come home, I wonder what I'll find when I go in. The rubbish is a major worry. It is not healthy especially with children around.

“It is a real nightmare for residents. We are fearful coming and going.”

A spokesperson for the management company, Macfar, said they would will highlight it with the caretaker and get it “actioned” as soon as possible.