Martin Joseph Brown, of Josephs Place, Rossville Estate, was fined £300 at Londonderry Magistrates’ court yesterday for a breach of waste management legislation.
The Environment and Heritage Service received a report from an official of Derry City Council’s Environmental Health Department who had seen tyres being deposited from a white van at a bonfire site at Dove gardens in the Bogside.
Mr Brown was identified as the driver of the van. He stated that he assisted the local youths in collecting the tyres as he was concerned that a threat could be made against his van. He pleaded guilty.
Notes to Editors:
- The burning of waste tyres on bonfire sites produces thick clouds of sulphurous black smoke. Up to fifty toxic compounds and gases are produced.
- Derry City Council in conjunction with the Environment and Heritage Service has carried out joint tyre depot audits in the area. Storage areas and records were inspected in the run up to the bonfire season.
- Derry City Council has also set up a bonfire working group to also address the bonfire problem.
- Mr Brown was charged under Article 4(1)(a) of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. The maximum fine can be up to £50,000 or six months imprisionment.
