Sharkey calls for forensic tests to be carried out on fuel laundering waste

The scene of the latest dumping of the toxic sludge at Belrobin, Kilkerley

A further quantity of diesel laundering waste was discovered dumped in Kilkerley at the weekend.

The 6,000 litres of toxic waste was abandoned at Belrobin with the latest find leading to local councillor Tomás Sharkey calling for stricter measures to be taken against the illegal activity.

He has challenged the authorities to carry out proper forensic investigations of the evidence to help bring those responsible to justice.

He said: “Approximately 6,000 litres of this toxic waste was dumped in the Kilkerley area this weekend. Once again public health and the environment were in danger by the culprits. They have no place in our community.

“This latest incident highlights my growing annoyance that forensic evidence does not seem to be gathered at the scenes of this dumping.
“I have been to many sites where this waste has been dumped and not once have I seen a Garda Síochána forensics team taking evidence. These cubes must have fingerprints on them. Often paint from the van or trailer they were loaded in marks the cubes. There may be tyre tracks from the vehicle that dumped the waste.

“The IBC cubes obviously came from a factory or yard that uses them for their business. Somewhere a business owner must be missing hundreds of expensive cubes.

“I have asked that the multi agency approach including county council officials, Gardaí, Revenue and environmental protection staff give a presentation on how they do their work.

“As a public representative I want to know why forensic evidence isn’t being gathered at these dump sites. I want to know why the scourge of dumping isn’t being properly investigated and who is making the decision not to take this problem seriously,” he said.

€1.4m to be spent upgrading roads and footpaths in Dundalk

Part of the N53 at Barronstown which is to be upgraded

A number of the town’s footpaths will be upgraded and repaired as part of proposals by the Dundalk Municipal District for its roads work programme for 2015.

In total 26 different projects have been earmarked for completion this year including road surfacing, restoration, strengthening and footpath repairs.

The total cost of the work would be just over €1.4 million, with a further €1 million earmarked for a 1.3km stretch of the N53 Dundalk to Castleblayney Road near Hackballscross and Rassan on the Barronstown to Hackballscross route. This will be realigned to improve safety, similar to the work that was previously carried out near Fintan Callan’s pub. A further €224,000 has also been allocated to the Barronstown to Newtownbalregan stretch of the same road.

Amongst the footpaths earmarked for repair include the Mill Road to Castletown Cottages, Beechmount Drive, the Castletown Road and Park Street.

The most expensive job at €185,000 is road repairs to a 1km stretch of the Inner Relief Road in Dundalk, followed by a 500 metre stretch at the Bush, which will cost €112,500.

A further €100,000 will also go towards repairs on the Castletown Road.

Other areas earmarked for an upgrade include Maghereagh Cross to Belrobin, Mullabohy Cross to Knockbridge, Rathcor, Grange, Roche Cross to Killin Cross, Dunmahon Cross to the Fane River, the Rock Road in Blackrock, Edentubber, Tullaghomeath, Crossalaney, Legion Avenue and Culhane Street junction, Park Villas and Chapel Street.

The projects will be able to proceed subject to approval.

In total €2.21m has been allocated to Louth’s roads for the coming year by the National Roads Authority. A further €600,000 will be spent on road improvements at Blakestown Cross on the main Dublin-Derry route on the N52, while work will also take place on the Ardee by-pass.