200 tonnes of illegal waste dumped in Donegal

Donegal County Council has removed more than 200 tonnes of waste that was illegally dumped on the scenic Arranmore Island.

Donegal County Council has removed more than 200 tonnes of waste that was illegally dumped on the scenic Arranmore Island.

Last month the council engaged in a major clean up of household and commercial waste from the old dump at Ballintra Mountain.

The council is also in the process of organising the removal of approximately 500 scrap cars that have been dumped around the island. Tenders have been sought for the removal of these vehicles.

A spokesperson for the council said it investigated the illegal dumping and has issued 44 fines in relation to some of the waste.

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"As the site was very large in scale and waste having being dumped over a considerable length of time, it was not possible to investigate the origin of the waste. In cases where fines are not paid, prosecutions may be considered," the spokesperson said.

A regular waste collection service by a private waste contractor is in place on the island and available to all householders and businesses. Bring banks for glass and cans are available at Arranmore Co-op, along with a container for the collection of batteries.

In the past week the council and the co-op arranged for the collection and removal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment from the island.

Burtonport councillor David Alcorn, said: "This was a very costly exercise and I would like to request islanders to refrain from dumping in the future. Arranmore is a beautiful island and a fine tourist attraction with plenty of fine walks. However, when people hear of this kind of dumping, it does not leave them with a good impression of the island".