Appeals for dumping to end at local monastery

Appeals for dumping to end at local monastery

1 August 2012

AN appeal has been issued for an end to illegal dumping in the grounds of a Crossgar monastery.

Several bin bags filled with rubbish and two old car tyres were dumped at the entrance to Tobar Mhuire, located off the main Downpatrick Road in the village, last week.

Councillor Terry Andrews, who has raised concerns about waste being dumped in the grounds of the monastery in the past, described the latest incident as “concerning.”

He said he cannot believe there are people still prepared to get rid of their waste illegally and who won’t use dedicated facilities which have been provided for them by Down Council.

Councillor Andrews said the waste dumped at Tobar Mhuire is in full view of people who walk in the grounds of the picturesque monastery.

“A number of people contacted me after coming across the waste to express their concern,” he continued.

“The waste should have been put in a bin or taken to one of Down Council’s civic amenity sites which are free to use. It’s my understanding that the waste dumped in Crossgar cannot be removed by the local authority as it’s been left on private ground.”

Councillor Andrews said it’s “ridiculous” that people are prepared to drive to secluded areas to get rid of their waste and explained he cannot understand what’s going on in the minds of these people.

He added: “I would appeal to people not to engage in this kind of behaviour. There is simply no excuse for it.”