Waste operations to cease in May

A WASTE management contractor who has run a recycling business without planning permission for more than six years has given an undertaking to cease operations at the site in north Kerry by May 31.

Eoghan McEnery, of South West Bins Ltd, who had received up to five previous adjournments to find new locations, sought a final extension at the circuit court in Killarney yesterday.

He had been granted planning permission by Kerry County Council for an alternative site near Causeway, but that permission was overturned earlier this year by Bord Pleanála, the court heard.

Judge Carroll Moran granted the extension on Mr McEnery undertaking not to carry out any further business at the site in Kilmorna, Listowel, after May 31, 2012, and not to seek a further extension.

The court was told he had been in breach of an order obtained by Kerry County Council to cease operations, at Kilmorna in July 2007.

Tom Rice, defending, said his client had been unable to find alternative sites in counties Limerick, Cork, Clare and Tipperary.

Elizabeth Murphy, for the council, said Mr McEnery had increased his business by a third since the 2007 order and the time of reckoning had now come.

James Kelleher, an accountant for Mr McEnery, said negotiations are ongoing for the acquisition of alternative premises.