Illegal dumpers are facing prosecution

Illegal dumpers are facing prosecution

5 February 2025

CULPRITS responsible for turning part of the Irish Street car park in Downpatrick into an open air dump are to be prosecuted.

It is understood the identities of the illegal dumpers have been revealed after Newry, Mourne and Down Council enforcement staff sifted through the rubbish and found names and addresses.

Black bin bags brimming with domestic waste were piled high after being illegally dumped over recent weeks, sparking concerns that the contents could attract vermin.

Business owners whose commercial bins are located in the car park were forced to fit locks as they were being used by the public and several bins were set on fire.

Local politicians and the council — which investigated the incident in detail — expressed concern about the unsightly fly-tipping and its impact on the environment and council resources.

Concern has also been expressed about the message bin bags brimming with waste and unceremoniously dumped on the ground sends out to residents and visitors who use the car park.

Some of the bin bags burst open, scattering waste across the ground.

The mess was branded “unsightly” by several business owners, with residents also voicing concern about the illegal dumping.

Downpatrick councillor Cadogan Enright has welcomed news that the dumpers have now been served with prosecution notices and face fines of up to £80.

“This issue has been ongoing for some time and the level of illegal dumping in the Irish Street car park was quite high,”he said.

“The dumping was taking place only yards from the Alliance Party’s Downpatrick office in Market Lane and it took us many weeks to try and get to the bottom of the problem.”

Cllr Enright said the car park has been given a thorough clean and council officers have informed business owners whose commercial bins are located in Irish Street to keep them on their respective premises and only leave them out on collection day.

He said those responsible for dumping the waste may not have their own domestic waste bins and has asked council staff to liaise with them and explain how they can be provided with them.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council says all illegal dumping incidents are investigated by members of its enforcement team with appropriate action taken as necessary prior to the waste being removed.