Illegal dump found at base of Sugarloaf

Wicklow County Council is appealing to householders and businesses not to pay people to dispose of their waste unless they have a valid permit.

The appeal follows the discovery of an illegal dump containing more than 100 tonnes of waste at common land at the base of the Sugarloaf Mountain.

Three smashed up caravans, a car, washing machines, fridges and domestic and builders' waste was found by council litter wardens at the site yesterday.

Nine Traveller families from a group which visits the area annually had been staying on the land for the past five weeks, but left last weekend. The council yesterday began a clean-up which is likely to last up to three days and will cost some €5,000.

The council believes most of the rubbish was generated by householders and businesses who paid to have waste removed by people who did not hold waste permits.

"The message is if they have no waste collection permit don't give them the waste," said council litter warden Wayne Jones.