Illegal dumpers will no longer avoid €500,000 maximum fines

A GOVERNMENT clampdown on illegal dumpers will ensure that offenders no longer escape the maximum district court fine of half a million euro.

Junior Environment Minister Batt O’Keeffe confirmed yesterday he is to set up an advisory group comprising judges, civil servants, and the gardaí who will draw up a league table of fines up to €500,000 that can be imposed on illegal waste traffickers. The fine will be in direct proportion to the amount of waste illegally dumped.

“A significant crime group are transporting illegal waste out of the country and they need to be tackled with the full rigours of the law,” said Mr O’Keeffe.