Wilson claims cityfirm dumped wastetyres in Donegal

Former Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has claimed in the Assembly that a Londonderry company was in 2011 exposed as operating without a licence and dumping waste tyres illegally in Donegal.

By Kevin Mullan

Published 5th Oct 2014, 10:29 BST

He claimed a Sunday newspaper exposed the alleged activity in 2011.

Mr Wilson also said that in December 2013 the current Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan had told him that even though the firm was under investigation it had been granted a licence to dispose of tyres and to bale tyres.

Mr Wilson stated: “I pointed out to him that it was under investigation.

“I had a letter from him saying that NIEA had no knowledge that this company was disposing of tyres illegally in Donegal.

“Unfortunately for the Minister, four months earlier on September 6, his Department had indicated to my constituent that the Environment Agency was preparing a file to be sent to the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for this selfsame firm.

“So, it seems that, even in his own Department, there is confusing evidence given to the Minister.”