An incident of illegal fly-tipping at a Co Down beauty spot could cost a local council thousands of pounds to clean up, according to a DUP councillor.
Over 100 used car tyres and 20 bags of rubbish were dumped near Drumkeeragh Forest near the Mournes last week.
Cllr Alan Lewis has called for an investigation into the matter.
He said: “Undoubtedly the ratepayer will shoulder the burden of this latest incident of fly-tipping. This is on an industrial scale, over one hundred tyres dumped on the ridge of a secluded walking trail, how those responsible gained entry to the forest remains a mystery.
“There needs to be an investigation, residents with door cam footage living along the route toward Drumkeeragh should check footage and let council know if anything has been recorded.
“Those responsible cannot have simply disappeared into the night.”
Further down the Drumnaquoile road, at the location of the old car park of the forest, there were also multiple bags of wrapped and loose compost waste dumped.
The elected representative for the Slieve Croob area said the culprit “was no amateur”.
“The scale of the tip has been such that this had to arrive by lorry or sizable trailer,” Mr Lewis said.
“On Monday afternoon I met council staff onsite who said the potential clean-up costs could run into multiple thousands.
“We also need to establish exactly what is in the bags, what species of plant we are dealing with, has there been any criminal act beyond that of actually dumping the material.
“There has been major investment to the area, walking trails have been improved and extended, new car park has been constructed, at a total cost of £474,000, the area is well used, recreational usage has increased, it is a wonderful scenic, picturesque example of the beauty of our district, it is a shame that persons unknown have decided to repurpose it as a dumping ground.”
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and DAERA have been approached for comment.
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News Catch Up – Monday 17 March