Sensation as West Wicklow Landowner Withdraws Claim Against Council

The West Wicklow landowner who accused Wicklow County Council of dumping a quarter of the illegal waste on his land has withdrawn his allegation and has claimed that he was coerced by a third party.

This sensational news was revealed at this afternoon's meeting of the Council by County Manager, Mr. Eddie

John O'Reilly: Coerced by Third Party

Sheehy who said that the landowner, Mr. John O'Reilly of Whitestown, Baltinglass withdrew the accusation at a meeting with himself and two Council officials last week.

The Manager also revealed that the invoice for more than €1 million that Mr. O'Reilly as a bill for the use of his land as a dump has also been withdrawn. Mr. O'Reilly told Council officials that the third party also coerced him into sending the invoice, the Manager also revealed.

A video of the RTE television news story in which Mr. O'Reilly and Councillor Tommy Cullen were among the people interviewed was shown at today's meeting. Mr. Sheehy then said that according to Mr. O'Reilly, the

Waste from Dublin?

third party organised the television crew to come to his home and also arranged a meeting for him with a Sunday newspaper reporter in a pub in Tallaght.

Mr. Sheehy added that on legal advice he was not prepared to reveal the name of the third party today. He instead would give him the opportunity to come into the Council with his solicitor to meet the officials.

`Due to the allegation, the small number of staff working on the illegal dumping issue had to interview past and present staff in relation to the issue instead of directly investigating the dumps directly', the Manager said.

He also pointed out that Council staff is satisfied that all the illegal waste discovered has emanated from Dublin.