'Toxic waste' dumped in private lands adjacent to this well-known Kildare beauty spot

A Social Democrats councillor has called on Kildare County Council to serve a Section 14 environmental notice on a private landowner in Celbridge, Co Kildare.

Cllr Claire O'Rourke called for the removal of “what appears to be” toxic waste in privately owned lands in woods adjacent to the former car park at Castletown House.

Speaking at a recent meeting of Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District, Cllr O'Rourke said she was happy with a report from the council, which stated that the dumping in question has been referred to the Area Waste Enforcement Officer for investigation.

Her concern, she explained, is that she had received reports of “toxic waste” at the location, and she was anxious to have the matter investigated.

Some of the waste appeared to have been removed from the site, she said, but she would appreciate a report following the investigation.

A council official noted that the landowner has engaged with Kildare County Council, and that so far it has been “a positive response”, so “we are hoping for a positive outcome for everybody.”

A report issued by the council confirmed that Section 14 of the Waste Management Act sets out the powers of an Authorised Person to enter property and issue an instruction where they have reason to believe that there may be an environmental risk.

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The report added: “The dumping in question has been referred to the Area Waste Enforcement Officer for investigation, who will report his findings and recommend serving an enforcement notice, if this is deemed to be the most appropriate course of action.

“Incidents of dumping should be reported immediately to the Environment Department either by email to environ@kildarecoco.ie or by telephone. This protocol allows complaints to be logged, tracked and investigated.”