The High Court has ruled that Dublin City Council waste charges are lawful and do not breach EU directives.
The court was giving judgement in proceedings taken by the Council against a Finglas resident to recover €120.63 in bin charges. The High Court was asked to rule as to the legality of the charge itself.
Mr Justice Quirke ruled that the Council had the right to impose the charge and that there was no breach of the EU's "polluter pays" principle
Bin campaigner Mr Joe Mooney said the decision made "a mockery" of the "polluter pays" principle.
"It makes the nonsensical claim that although a provision is included in the Waste Management Plan the Council has no legal obligation to actually implement what is stated in it's own Plan.
"We have constantly argued that the imposition of a set fee by City Council actually discourages recycling. Now the High Court has ruled that this unfair set fee is lawful and gives the green light to City Council to further harass law abiding householders who oppose unjust double taxation."