Strabane man fined £5,000 for waste offences

Edward McCrea (65) of Melmount Road, Strabane was fined a total of £5,000 at Strabane Magistrates’ court today for breaches of waste management legislation.

Mr McCrea pleaded guilty on waste charges and was fined £2,500 (and court costs of £70) on two counts.

Environmental Crime officers from the Environment and Heritage Service visited the site on 5 April 2007 and found large amounts of controlled waste, consisting of rubble and general builder's waste mixed with clay and soil, on a site adjacent to the Mourne River.

Notes to Editors:

1. The charges related to breaches of the following Articles of the Waste & Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997:

4(1)(a) deposit controlled waste, or knowingly cause or knowingly permit controlled waste to be deposited in or on any land unless a waste management licence authorising the deposit is in force and the deposit is in accordance with the licence:

4(1)(b) treat, keep or dispose of controlled waste, or knowingly cause or knowingly permit controlled waste to be treated, kept or disposed of (i) in or on any land, or

(ii) by means of any mobile plant except under and in accordance with a waste management licence.

2. For media enquiries, please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours call EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.