Official Accuses Some Councillors of Hindering Dump Investigation

An accusation has been made by the top Wicklow County Council official who is investigating illegal dumps in the county that some councillors are trying to steer the investigation away from certain dumps.

The astounding allegation was made at yesterday's meeting of the Co. Council by Director of services in Environment, Michael

Cllr. Tommy Cullen: Wants copy of Nicholson's Remarks

Nicholson when he strayed away from a prepared script on the investigation into unauthorised dumping that he delivered to members of the council.

`The media are hungry for the discovery of further sites and unfortunately this hunger is being fed by a small number of individuals who may have other agendas', said Mr. Nicholson.

Then, wandering off his prepared script, he added - `There have been attempts by some councillors to steer us away from certain sites but this only makes us more determined to continue investigating all dumps'.

However, Councillor Tommy Cullen said that he wanted a copy of what Mr. Nicholson said and told members of the press that he may need their notes on the matter while Deputy Dick Roche described Mr. Nicholson's language as `extraordinary'.

`This Council has not exactly covered itself in glory in the past because we know of a number of Section 55 notices that were ignored', said Deputy Roche.

Later in the meeting when Co. Manager, Mr. Eddie Sheehy was responding to various questions, he said there was an amazing coincidence in the questions asked by some councillors and those that were faxed to him from RTE a few nights earlier.

Cllr. Deirdre de Burca: Why were section 55s not issued?

He added that while he has no problem answering questions, he cannot respond to some for fear of being prejudicial to any future court cases that may arise in relation to the illegal dumping.

However, the Manager did confirm that he has received an invoice for more than 1 million Euro from Mr. John O'Reilly, the owner of the land at Whitestown, Baltinglass who claimed on national television that the Council dumped a large percentage of rubbish there. He described the invoice as a `red herring'.

Councillor Deirdre de Burca said that the Council should insist on bringing two former top officials of the council, Blaise Treacy and Hubert Fitzpatrick before a future meeting to find out what they know about Section 55 notices that were issued in the past.

The original allegation by Mr. Nicholson about councillors hampering the investigation was not answered nor was an answer insisted upon by any of the members at the end of the debate.

When Wicklowtoday.com asked Councillor Cullen after the meeting about the issue, he said that the Manager is refusing to answer any of his questions.

However, it is expected that a full reply to the allegation will be insisted upon at future meetings.