Roadstone’s Massive Illegal Dump Sites

wicklow | environment | news report Thursday February 16, 2006 14:37 by Barra

Illegal dumping in County Wicklow

Last week’s decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject the proposal put forward by Wicklow County Council to allow Roadstone develop a landfill on their site, where there are massive illegal dumps, has been met with universal approval.

One major question still remains – just how much illegal waste is there on Roadstone lands?

A Roadstone spokesman is spinning the figure down to 50 thousand tons. Last week Padraic Larkin, Deputy Director General of the EPA is quoted in saying that Roadstone in their application for a landfill estimated that they would have to deal with over 300,000 tons of waste; made up of

- 100, 000 tons of Hazardous waste.
- 180,000 tons of Household and Commercial waste.
- 120,000 tons Construction waste.

Green Party Councilor, Deirdre de Burca said, “Groups like Blessington Residents Against Dumps (BRAD) and the Blessington Forum are to be congradtulated on the very active campaign they ran opposing the licensing of an legal dump on Roadstone’s land.”

Deputy, Liz Mc Manu said “This is a case where the punishment must be made to fit the crime. Huge profits were made from illegal dumping of waste in County Wicklow and those responsible must be required to dispose of the waste in a safe and efficient manner."

Minister of the Enviroment, Dick Roche, said “This decision will mean the Roadstone will have to pay, not only for the clean up, but also for the independent expert who will monitor the operation and report back to the EPA.”

Sinn Fein Cllr. John Brady said “This decision again calls in to question the relationship that exsists between Wicklow County Council and Roadstone.”