By Ryan Sands
OVER 1,000 incidents of fly-tipping have been recorded in this district over a period of less than two years. Figures contained in a council statement – issued to highlight its new three-year initiative to tackle illegal dumping across Newry, Mourne and Down – revealed that there were 1,088 such incidents between April 2024 and January 2026.
Dumped material included beds, mattresses, chairs, bin bags filled with rubbish and builders’ waste.
During the same period, an additional 124 smaller incidents of fly-tipping – these included the discarding of general litter, hot food takeaway rubbish, cans, plastic bottles and cigarette butts – were recorded across the district.
All reports of illegal dumping are investigated by council staff, who have powers to issue an £80 fixed penalty notice for littering offences, whilst more punitive fines are levied for fly-tipping involving bulky waste.
The local authority press release confirmed that it is “spearheading a new three-year education and enforcement initiative aimed at tackling environmental crime”, which will include “continued cross- border collaboration with Louth County Council and a review of the effectiveness of a CCTV system it introduced to reduce fly- tipping at dumping hotspots”.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs will also be asked for its help in “providing details of available support and funding to help tackle illegal dumping across the district”.
The statement pointed out that the council “recently moved to strengthen its operational capacity across its Environment Department, via the recruitment of new senior staff as part of a co- ordinated plan to provide a more proactive approach to the waste issue and strengthen community engagement”.
“The council’s new head of Waste Processing and Enforcement and a new Education and Enforcement manager will play key roles over the next three years, when there will be a renewed focus on reducing illegal dumping through targeted education and enforcement campaigns,” it read.
“The council aims to strengthen its enforcement activity and enhance collaboration with its internal teams, neighbouring councils and external partners.”
Council chair Philip Campbell stressed that “there is an environmental and financial cost associated with all forms of fly- tipping”.
“Illegal waste is not only unsightly but poses a threat to livestock and wildlife,” he said. “It is unsightly and a blot on the landscape.
“People need to take their waste home with them or dispose of it properly. There is simply no excuse for not doing so.”
The chairperson commended the staff who “work at the coalface keeping the district clean”, and criticised those who “dump waste, especially in secluded rural areas, under the cover of darkness”.
“We all have a responsibility to play our part in keeping the district clean,” he concluded.
“The irony of fly-tipping is that those who engage in such behaviour are paying for its removal through their rates.
“I endorse the council’s new education and enforcement plan to tackle illegal dumping and encourage residents to play their part.”
Fly-tipping incidents can be reported to the council by contacting e.health@nmandd.org or 0330 137 4027.
