LIMERICK City and County Council secured two environmental enforcement convictions before the courts arising from separate investigations carried out by the Council’s Environment Department.
The convictions at Kilmallock District Court were issued on January 20 and, the local authority said, form part of the Council’s “ongoing regulatory programme to ensure compliance with environmental legislation”.
In the first case, the court convicted an individual under the Local Government (Water Pollution)Â Acts 1977 for failing to provide information lawfully requested by the Council under Section 23 of the Act.
The information request, issued in August 2023, sought details relevant to an investigation into the condition of drainage infrastructure and the assessment of potential sources of contaminants at a stormwater outfall.
Failure to comply with a statutory information request is an offence under the Act, regardless of the outcome of the underlying investigation.
Judge Patricia Harney, hearing the case at the District Court in Kilmallock, imposed a fine of €5,000, the maximum permitted for the offence. The matter of costs was adjourned to a later date.
In the second case, according to a Council statement, the Court convicted an individual under the Waste Management Acts 1996 for multiple waste-related offences.
The offences related to the unauthorised holding, storage, and disposal of various waste types, including household waste, end-of-life vehicle (ELV) waste, and construction and demolition material.
The above, the Council said, all require appropriate authorisation and must be carried out in compliance with waste legislation to protect the environment and prevent pollution.
Judge Harney imposed fines totalling €3,500 and awarded combined legal and investigation costs of approximately €3,100.
Limerick City and County Council said it undertakes investigations, monitoring, and enforcement actions to protect public health, maintain water quality, and safeguard the local environment.
The Council said it will continue to use the powers available under national legislation to address pollution risks, unauthorised waste activity, and non-compliance with statutory requirements.
– Court Reporting Scheme