EPA Prosecutes Roscommon County Council

On the 27th March 2008 at Ballaghaderreen District Court, Co. Roscommon, Roscommon County Council pleaded guilty to offences under Sections 39(1) and 39(9) of the Waste Management Acts 1996 and 2003 for breaches of its Waste Licence (Reg. No. W0059-02).

The Council admitted breaching conditions of its Waste Licence by:-

1. Failing to ensure that emissions from the activity did not impair or interfere with the local environment;
2. Failing to ensure that odour did not give rise to nuisance.

On hearing evidence from both an EPA Inspector and some local residents, Judge Browne imposed fines of €5,000 and awarded EPA costs of €8,300.

Roscommon County Council was granted a Waste Licence for continued operation of Ballaghaderreen Landfill in October 2000 (Reg. No. W0059-01).  A revised Licence (Reg. No. W0059-02) was issued in 2003.

This prosecution was taken following receipt by the EPA of complaints from local residents and following investigations undertaken by the Office of Environmental Enforcement within the period of 4th February 2007 to 5th September 2007.