Coalisland company director and construction firm fined for illegal waste offences

A Co Tyrone building firm and a company director were today fined a total of £6,000 at Dungannon Magistrates’ court for illegal waste offences.

Barahaven Construction Limited, Washingbay Road, Coalisland pleaded guilty to one charge of keeping waste and one charge of failure to comply with Hazardous Waste Regulations and was fined £2,000 on each charge, plus £40 costs.

A director of the company, Mrs Bridget Teresa Quinn (57) also of Washingbay Road, Coalisland, pleaded guilty to one charge of keeping waste and was fined £2,000 plus £20 costs.

On 2 December 2008, Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) officers visited a yard at Washingbay Road, Coalisland, where they found a large pile of burnt mixed waste. Asbestos waste was found on the site during a subsequent visit in March 2009, which was discovered to have been removed from Housing Executive sites.

Notes to editors:

1. The mixed waste found on site comprised wood, organic waste, tyres, plastics, white goods and a toilet.
2. Barahaven Construction Limited and Mrs Quinn were both found guilty under Article 4(1)b of The Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. The charge related to keeping of controlled waste in or on land unless a waste management licence authorising the deposit is in force and the deposit in accordance with the licence.
3. Barahaven Construction Limited was also found guilty under Article 43 of the Hazardous Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005. The charge related to failure to comply with standard procedures to consign hazardous waste.
4. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.