Convictions secured for illegal wasters
A multi-agency operation has seen convictions recorded against five individuals following an investigation into the illegal transportation of catalytic converters
Fingal County Council has secured convictions against five individuals in the District Court following an investigation into the illegal transportation of catalytic converters to a metal recycling facility within the County.
Investigations by the Council commenced as a result of a multi-agency operation in April last year when the Garda Divisional Crime Task Force searched a metal recycling facility in Dublin 11.
Further enquiries by Fingal’s Waste Enforcement Officers revealed potential offences relating to the transportation of catalytic converters with a view to profit by non-commercial customers who didn’t have a waste collection permit. Some 4,250 kg of catalytic converters were brought to the facility by the five convicted individuals, with a value estimated to be around €20,000.
Judge Halpin, who presided over the case, convicted all five individuals and awarded legal fees and costs to Fingal County Council totalling €11,000.
End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) and their components can have significant monetary value (catalytic converters, alloy wheels). This value can encourage the illegal dismantling of ELVs resulting in serious environmental pollution. Metal recycling facilities can potentially facilitate this illegal activity by accepting high value waste streams from illegal sites and individuals who don’t have a waste collection permit to transport waste.
High value waste streams can enter metal recycling facilities under the guise of ‘general public’ for cash in hand payments and in so doing undermines compliant operators. This activity also fosters the growth of illegal car dismantling and theft of high value car components such as catalytic converters which can be sold on the black market for up to €800.
Enda Hoey from the Waste Enforcement Section at Fingal said: “We want to help thwart the thieves and prevent the the illegal dismantling of ELVs, which is why we are continuing efforts to improve traceability by strengthening compliance at metal recycling facilities. That sees us carrying out more inspections using a multi-agency approach to crack down on this type of unauthorised activity and make it more difficult for criminals to profit.”