Defendants heavily fined after dumping in Bonniconlon

Defendants heavily fined after dumping in Bonniconlon


THREE cases of illegal dumping in Bonniconlon came before Ballina District Court last week with the defendants each given fines of €1,250.
Liam Rabbitte, an Environmental Enforcement Officer with Mayo County Council told the court that on April 30, 2008, on foot of a large number of reports, he carried out an inspection at Carrowleagh, Bonniconlon. He found an envelope torn in two with the names of Mr and Mrs Paddy Joe Moran of 123 Elm Mount Road, Dublin 9, on it. After enquiring with Garda Des Mc Cann of Bonniconlon Garda Station, Mr Rabbitte said he learned that they had links to the area and had a holiday home in Bonniconlon.
Mr Rabbitte said that twenty two and a half tonnes of rubbish were dug out of the area and brought to landfill at a cost of €7,749. He acknowledged that the defendants were not to cause for all of the waste but contributed.
The court also heard that a medicine bottle belonging to John Warnock of Bonniconlon, Ballina was found in the rubbish on the same date. Mr Warnock said he had paid a man to dispose of his waste. Mr Warnock is an unemployed builder’s labourer and has been living in Bonniconlon for 13 years.
Mr Rabbitte also told the court that on the same date he found a letter belonging to Margaret Kavanagh of Glenree, Bonniconlon, in the side of a couch.
Ms Kavanagh’s partner wrote a letter to Mr Rabbitte outlining that they had bought a new couch from travellers who had taken the old couch with them and promised to dispose of it legally. Solicitor for Ms Kavanagh, Peter Flynn, said that Ms Kavanagh works in a factory and has two young children. Judge Mary Devins (pictured)convicted and fined each of the defendants €1,250.