Guilty pleas heard in Mobuoy waste case

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs updates on the Mobuoy waste case.

Three of the five defendants have pleaded guilty to a range of waste offences in relation to the unauthorised disposal of waste at the Mobuoy site.

A number of similar charges have been left on the books for the remaining two defendants. Sentencing is expected on 7 November 2022.

If charges are ‘left on the books’ they can be reactivated at a later stage, subject to permission from the Crown Court or the Court of Appeal.

A DAERA spokesman said: “Illegal dumping, especially of this magnitude, shows a shocking and appalling disregard for the residents, the environment and the law.

“While our priority in this case is to protect the water quality of the River Faughan as well as protect the environment by remediating this site, it has also been a priority to pursue those who perpetrated this crime through the courts.

“Following the conclusion of the court proceedings, the Department will be in a position to move forward with its development of a remediation strategy to ensure that the legacy of this site is a positive one for future generations.”

On 9 September, 2022, Paul Doherty (64), a director of Campsie Sand and Gravel Ltd, from Culmore Road, Londonderry, pleaded guilty to seven waste offences with regards to controlled waste identified on lands located on the Mobuoy Road outside Londonderry. At a further court hearing on 16 September, 2022, waste management company City Industrial Waste Ltd and its director, Gerry Farmer (53), of Westlake, Londonderry, pleaded guilty to three waste offences each with regards to controlled waste identified on lands located on the Mobuoy Road.

Notes to editors: 

1. The various parties have pleaded guilty to offences contrary to the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997:

Paul Doherty

• 1 x Article 4 (1)(a) for depositing controlled waste, or knowingly causing or knowingly permitting controlled waste to be deposited on any land except and under and in accordance with a waste management licence.
• 3 x Article 4 (1)(b) for keeping controlled waste, or knowingly causing or knowingly permitting controlled waste to be kept on any land except and under and in accordance with a waste management licence.
• 3 x Article 4 (1)(c) for keeping controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution to the environment or harm to human health.

Gerry Farmer

• 1 x Article 4 (1)(a) for depositing controlled waste, or knowingly causing or knowingly permitting controlled waste to be deposited on any land except and under and in accordance with a waste management licence.
• 1 x Article 4 (1)(b) for keeping controlled waste, or knowingly causing or knowingly permitting controlled waste to be kept on any land except and under and in accordance with a waste management licence.
• 1 x Article 4 (1)(c) for keeping controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution to the Environment or harm to human health.

City Industrial Waste Ltd

• 1 x Article 4 (1)(a) for depositing controlled waste, or knowingly causing or knowingly permitting controlled waste to be deposited on any land except and under and in accordance with a waste management licence.
• 1 x Article 4 (1)(b) for keeping controlled waste, or knowingly causing or knowingly permitting controlled waste to be kept on any land except and under and in accordance with a waste management licence.
• 1 x Article 4 (1)(c) for keeping controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution to the Environment or harm to human health.

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3. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk

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