Major Clean Up Operation at Dunsink Lane, Finglas

A total of 160 tonnes of household waste, bulky items and construction and demolition waste were removed from a number of locations and brought to a permitted waste facility for recovery and disposal.  Assistance was provided by An Garda Siochana in conjunction with a number of contractors. Significant civil works involving the installation of large concrete blocks and the construction of earth berms were undertaken as part of the operation to restrict access and prevent a reoccurrence.

CCTV, as well as regular patrols by waste enforcement officers and the Gardai, will be utilised to ensure this type of illegal dumping stops and that those responsible are prosecuted under the Waste Management Act 1996. If found guilty of dumping waste illegally or providing waste to an illegal waste collector a householder can be fined up to €5,000 in the District Court and receive a criminal conviction.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. David Healy said: “I'm delighted to see this cleanup action by Fingal County Council's Environment Section. I commend them and the assistance from An Garda Siochana involved in this operation. We need to ensure that this doesn’t happen again both by enforcement and by encouraging and requiring everyone to handle their waste in a proper manner through licensed waste companies.”

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council said: “Fingal County Council will continue to deal with illegal waste activities in the County. Waste must be disposed of properly at authorised sites or to authorised waste collectors.”

David Storey, Director of Environment, Climate Action and Active Travel said: “The Environment Section and waste enforcement officers of Fingal County Council have worked to fully clean up several areas at Dunsink Lane and will ensure that this type of illegal dumping is prevented in the future.”

Everyone has a responsibility to dispose of their waste in a safe and sustainable manner to protect the environment for future generations. Bulky items can be brought to your local recycling centre (Coolmine Recycling Centre and Estuary Recycling Centre) for recovery/disposal. Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), clothes, paper, plastic bottles, packaging and glass can be recycled free of charge.  Your waste is still a valuable resource if segregated and disposed of correctly. Illegally dumped waste costs Local Authorities hundreds of thousands of euro each year, money which could be better spent on improving local services to people and businesses.

Illegal waste collectors (“Man in a Van”) use social media and advertising sites to offer waste removal services with householders tempted by a cheap offer to dispose of waste which then ends up being dumped causing pollution.  These bogus collectors don’t have a waste collection permit and are not authorised to collect waste. If you’re unsure about a person offering a waste disposal service don’t use them. Ask to see their ID and waste collection permit number which can be checked with the National Waste Collection Permit Office at www.nwcpo.ie. If they’re not on the list they’re not authorised to collect waste.

To report unauthorised waste collectors or dumping contact [email protected] or Tel: 01 8906799.  

Information on recycling centres: https://www.fingal.ie/council/service/civic-amenity-sites-provision-recycling-centres