Council takes legal action on dumping

Tipperary Co Council has instigated legal proceedings over illegal dumping in several cases this year.

A case was heard in court in March involving a joint operation with An Garda Síochána

regarding disposal of septic tank waste. This resulted in Judge O’Shea awarding a conviction and 10-month prison sentence; this case is being appealed by the defendant and is listed for hearing in Clonmel Circuit Court this month.

Three more cases were heard in June in relation to illegal dumping and non-compliance for notices under the Waste Management Act. All of them were in the south of the county. The outcome of all three was successful prosecutions.

Thirty-three fines were issued in the Nenagh district in the first half of this year, of which 22 were paid, four were cancelled and seven remained outstanding.

Meanwhile, the council's Environment section has commenced in-person household waste inspections. Since the beginning of the year, 144 initial letters were issued to households requesting evidence of their service provider to be produced, of which 55% complied.

For households not in compliance, the section will be following new procedures whereby fixed penalty notices and possible legal proceedings will be taken against householders who refuse to comply.