Claudy businessman fined £4,000 for waste offences

A Londonderry businessman was today fined £4,000 plus £91 court costs for breaches of waste legislation.

John McFeely (40) of Hillcrest Group, Muldonagh Road, Claudy, Londonderry was fined at Londonderry Magistrates Court.

Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) officers inspected a site on upland to the rear of the Hillcrest Group premises on 11 January 2008, where an estimated 8,000 tonnes of controlled waste had been deposited. The waste included material from wood processing, sawdust, waste paint and varnish, glass, plastics, paper and cardboard, end-of-life vehicles, concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics, mixed metals, cables, soil and stones, biodegradable kitchen and canteen waste and textiles.

Notes to Editors:

1. John McFeely pleaded guilty and was fined £2,000 on each of the following charges:

a. Article 4(1)(a) of The Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. The charge related to knowingly caused or knowingly permitted controlled waste to be deposited in or on land, without there being in force a waste management licence authorizing the deposit.

b. Article 4(1)(b) of The Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. The charge related to the treatment, keeping or disposal of controlled waste or knowingly cause or knowingly permit controlled waste to be treated, kept or disposed of in or on land, 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, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.