Archive for the 'Littering/Vandalism/Crime' Category

GREEN PARTY COUNCILLOR SEEKS MULTI-AGENCY APPROACH TO CLEAN UP OF KENNEDY PARK IN KILLOUGH IN ADVANCE OF NEW NAOISCOIL

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on September 3, 2010
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Killough, Littering/Vandalism/Crime, Parks/National Park, Planning issues and illegal development and Schools
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Cllr Enright at Kennedy Park in Killough, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.

Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright has been pressing for better ongoing maintenance of Kennedy park in Killough following requests from local residents, and has highlighted the imminent building of the new Naoiscoil pre-school as an opportunity for public service organizations to improve services to this area.
Cllr Enright said “I have requested the council to clear up the huge amount of broken glass from the park, and council manager nnn has confirmed that this has been done and that there will be an ongoing effort to keep this area clean”.
“I have also contacted the District Policing Partnership to see what can be done between the PSNI and other government agencies to see what can be done once and for all to stamp out “rough drinking”, dumping and bonfires of household waste in the Park that is affecting the quality of life of local residents. I feel a cross-agency approach is the only way to tackle these issues”, Confirmed Cadogan Enright.
“The old mill is in a dangerous state, and barriers to entry have been removed, I am pursuing this with the Dangerous buildings section” Said Councillor Enright
“The building of the new Naoisciol gives the Council, in conjunction with the other agencies an opportunity to deliver a series of separate relatively minor actions, that taken collectively would provide a huge boost for local residents. The fencing and hedging could be repaired, the PSNI could patrol the area on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, the litter wardens could focus on this area until after Christmas or until the dumping problem with a few local individuals is resolved. The outcome could be a better local environment for everyone,” Concluded Councillor Cadogan Enright

GREEN PARTY APPALLED AT CASTLEWELLAN SCHOOL VANDALISM

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on September 3, 2010
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Castlewellan, John Hardy, Littering/Vandalism/Crime and Schools
. 0 Comments

John Hardy and Cllr Cadogan Enright and son CadÓg at the school, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.

The Green Party has expressed its disgust at recent vandalism and burglary at the Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche in Castlewellan.

Local Green Party co-ordinator John Hardy said ‘It is unsettling to hear the news that the school has once again been the target of anti-social behaviour, a year almost to the day since the old school was burned last year. It seems that young people are willing to attack services in their own community and steal from those providing education for young children- the children of their friends and neighbours. We totally condemn this activity and ask local people to be vigilant in observing and reporting any anti-social behaviour.’

He continued ‘The theft and damage to the school comes just before the start of the new school year when teachers and staff are busy preparing for the months ahead. This makes it all the more reproachable as children will be starting the new term without equipment and with damaged facilities.”

Cadogan Enright, Green Party Councillor, supported John Hardy and said “As a school governor, I can say that we were all looking forward to the exciting opening next Wednesday the 1st in what I believe will be the best primary school in south Down.

As a member of the Down Policing Partnership, I’ll be using my influence to ensure regular patrolling and I will be seeking the harshest treatment possible for people attacking our community’s new Bunscoil.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRESS CUTTING

GREEN PARTY EXPRESSES DISMAY OVER ABANDONED CAR

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on August 19, 2010
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Ballynahinch/Spa, Cadogan Enright, Council, Littering/Vandalism/Crime and Mark McCormick
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Stolen car abandoned at Windmill Gardens, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.

Mark McCormick, Green Party coordinator in Ballynahinch, expressed dismay over a car in good condition having been rolled down the embankment at Windmill Gardens.

Mark McCormick said ‘This car had not been reported stolen so is not being dealt with by the police. It is up to date with tax, etc. I contacted my party colleague Cadogan Enright at the request of local people to see if the Council could rescue the vehicle before it becomes vandalized and unusable.

Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright said “Environmental Health Officer Richard Henry is dealing with this matter and I would call upon local people to keep an eye on the vehicle until it can be safely recovered. This may take as long as seven days.”

“I share Mark McCormick’s dismay that neither the police nor the Council appear to be able to rescue abandoned motor vehicles in a timely manner. I intend to bring this up at the Down Policing Partnership meetings, as at the minimum it would seem sensible to phone the person who has taxed the vehicle to warn them that their car is in trouble, rather than just waiting for the seven day statutory period to expire”, concluded Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright.

Dog poo in Killyleagh

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on August 19, 2010
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Killyleagh, Littering/Vandalism/Crime and Pollution
. 0 Comments


Dog poo in Killyleagh, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.

Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright has condemned the tiny minority of dog owners in Killyleagh who allow their dogs to, on a daily basis, foul neighbours and residents gardens at Well Lane and Church Lane.

Local Resident Myrtle Mann said, “A small number of local dog owners allow their animals to foul our green spaces at the same time everyday, you can set your watch by them, 9am and 10.30am every day.”

Myrtles husband, community activist Mike Mann said, “there are also two cars which park at the end of the lane, let their dogs out to foul and then drive off.”

Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright said, “local residents keep these cottages beautifully in order. It is a shame that some people bring their dogs here, often daily, and disrespect the efforts of the local community to keep green spaces clean. I have formally requested the dog wardens to keep a special eye on this area and to make prosecutions when culprits are caught.”

GREENS WELCOME NEW PSNI COMMANDER IN DISTRICT

Published
by
Mark McCormick
on December 4, 2009
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, John Hardy, Littering/Vandalism/Crime, Newcastle and Wildlife/Trees/Nature
. 0 Comments

Newcastle Green Party Co-ordinator John HardyNewcastle Green Party members have voiced concern at failures to investigate wildlife crime at their meeting this week. But Newcastle Greens spokesperson John Hardy has welcomed reported positive moves by new Down District Police Chief commander Bones.

John Hardy said “Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright attended our meeting in Tollymore and reported to us that the new police chief appears to be a progressive, intelligent and well informed person. She is aware of the history of environmental crimes in this District and has confirmed that she is aware of recent complaints to the police Ombudsman on the lack of investigation in these areas. Commander Bones indicated that advice would be sought on training in wildlife crime in her command area.”

John Hardy said “Cllr Enright was appointed as an Independent member of Down District policing partnership prior to being made Councillor, so will be able to monitor this first hand. He reported to us that he has drawn attention to rising crime rates over the last year and the low clear up rates of crime compared with the rest of NI. There has been a 12% rise in crime over the sixth month period between April and September 2009 compared to the same time in 2008. The districts crime clear up rate is 19% compared to over 24% in NI as a whole.”

“The Green Party will support commander Bones in her new position, and will watch carefully for progress in these key areas. In particular the Local Crime Clearance rate is worse than the average clearance rates of other areas. The average for NI is 24% whereas in Down District the figure is 19%. This is a 25% difference overall in clearance rates and mirrors our concerns over lack of action or success over wildlife crimes,” concluded John Hardy

Press Cuttings: Green Party hopeful of new crackdown on wildlife crime.

ILLEGAL DUMPING IN KILLOUGH ESTATE

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on August 2, 2009
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Killough and Littering/Vandalism/Crime
. 0 Comments

Picture shows Cllr Enright with local resident Veronica Jackson at the Castlecourt Estate where illegal dumping has been taking place.

The Green Party have been working with local residents in Killough to tackle the chronic problem of rubbish dumping which has been taking place in local estates.

Cllr Cadogan Enright said, “I have raised the issue of illegal dumping in Killough at the rear of the Castlecourt estate and in other areas to the Council and to the Housing Executive. It is an ongoing problem but hopefully by highlighting the issue amongst the local people we can deter those who are commiting the crime to stop. The Housing Executive confirmed they would increase visits to the area in which the dumping is taking place following my representations to them.”

GREEN PARTY CRITICISE POLICE RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES IN DOWN DISTRICT

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on July 10, 2009
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Killyleagh, Littering/Vandalism/Crime and Wildlife/Trees/Nature
. 0 Comments

Photograph shows Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright (r) with local environmentalists Mike Mann (c) and Seamus McKendry (l) overlooking the site of gorse removal.

The Green Party has criticised the Police Service for not taking seriously its role in tackling environmental crime in the district.

The accusation has come in the light of a recent case undertaken by the PSNI in which they refused to prosecute for the bulldozing of large amounts of gorse bush during the nesting season in which it is illegal to remove gorse.

Unlike Britain gorse bush is not protected all year round in Northern Ireland, however during the nesting season between 1st March to 31st August they are protected under the Wildlife Order (NI) 1985 and it is therefore illegal to remove them.

Cllr Enright said, “I have personally made many complaints on issues like poisoning of seals and have been present when local environmentalists have put in complaints about badger baiting and nothing has been done. Environmentalists locally are now seeking meetings with the new Police Commander and the Down District Policing Partnership to question why environmental crimes are not being taken seriously,”

Gorse Bush

The latest incident of gorse removal took place near Killyleagh and local environmentalists alerted the PSNI of the crime. On visiting the site the PSNI declared there was not sufficient evidence to prosecute and this decision was made even though the gorse was removed on the land and subsequently piled up at another corner of the land.

Cllr Enright said, “In this latest case the gorse removed was left piled up on the land and I cannot see how the PSNI feels there is insufficient evidence to prosecute. It is for this reason that I do not feel they are taking their role in protecting the environment seriously.”

Cllr Enright is an independent member of the Down District Policing Partnership and has arranged for local environmentalists to ask questions, at a meeting of the Policing Partnership in September, as to why environmental crime is not being taken seriously in the Down District area.

Press Cuttings: Green Party wants PSNI to get tougher

COUNCILLOR URGES FISHERMEN TO KEEP ARDGLASS SHORE TIDY

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on June 26, 2009
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Ardglass, Cadogan Enright, Littering/Vandalism/Crime, Mark McCormick and Pollution
. 0 Comments

Photograph shows Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright with Green Party Activist Mark McCormick showing the extent of the pollution along the Ardglass Coast. The photo shows some of the rubber gloves, fish boxes and rubbish, which lines the coast around the harbour.

DOWN Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright has expressed his concern at the state of the coast around Ardglass, which has become polluted by thousands of rubber gloves and dozens of fish boxes used by fishermen in the harbour.

Cllr Enright said, “Fishing is a vital part of our local economy in Down District and elected representatives need to be doing everything they can to support it.”

“However I was invited to walk the Ardglass coastal area by local residents living along the Lecale coast and I was dismayed to find hundreds of fishermen’s gloves littered along the beach and amongst the rocks. Along the whole coast these could amount to thousands. It is clear that these gloves are being thrown overboard when they have been used showing complete disregard for the environment and our seas.”

“Tourism plays an important role in the local economy as well – so routinely using our seas and shores as a bin will not help us attract visitors.”

Green Party Councillor Enright said “In a one hundred meter stretch of beach I counted over 300 gloves and 28 fishing boxes. I have written to the Harbour Master, the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority and also to the Anglo North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO) to express my concerns in the hope that this practice of littering the sea will stop.”

“The Anglo North Irish Fish Producers Organisation claims on their website that ANIFPO members are committed to the protection of the environment they work in and so this practice of littering the shore and sea needs to be addressed as part of their commitment.”

As well as rubber gloves and fish boxes Cllr Enright also witnessed thousands of plastic bottles and other items of litter the whole way along the coast.

Cllr Enright continued, “It is the ocean that creates most of the oxygen we breathe, it feeds us, holds vast biodiversity, regulates our climate and cleans the water we drink and so it is vitally important we ensure that our ocean is protected and conserved for future generations.”

“I therefore urge all fishermen to please refrain from dumping their rubber gloves or other materials overboard and to keep our coast and seas clean,” concluded Cllr Enright.

Press Cuttings: Councillor urges fisherman not to dump rubbish from their trawlers

GREENS CALL FOR ACTION ON ILLEGAL DUMPING IN NEWCASTLE

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on April 23, 2009
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, John Hardy, Littering/Vandalism/Crime and Newcastle
. 0 Comments

Photograph shows local residents with Green Party activists at the site of illegal dumping in Corrigs Avenue- (l-r) Oliver King, Green Party Activist John Hardy, Colette Mulholland, Bronagh Hanna and Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright.

Down District Green Party activists have raised the problem of illegal dumping at Corrigs Avenue in Newcastle, and have asked the Council to take action to stop those responsible.

Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright, and Newcastle Local Co-ordinator John Hardy, met with residents in Corrigs Avenue in the Dundrum area of Newcastle, to see for themselves the large amount of household waste and furniture which has been dumped to the rear of their homes.

Cllr Enright said, “We were requested by local residents to visit the estate and see the dumping for ourselves. It is clear that people have been using the waste-ground to the rear of these homes as a dump for quite some time. While there, we saw suites of furniture, mattresses, children’s toys and bags of household waste. There is no excuse for this activity when Down Council offers facilities for waste collection and also for processing of recyclables including furniture at their Bann Road site in Castlewellan.”

The property being used for dumping is to the rear of Corrigs Avenue and borders a laneway used to access a sewerage pumping station operated by Northern Ireland Water. Although the property is privately owned, the Green Party have contacted the Council to request that they remove all the material and take measures to catch and prosecute those responsible.

Local Green Party activist, John Hardy, said, “Local residents have complained of seeing rats amongst the waste, so this is clearly a health risk. We have contacted the Council and they have visited the site to see for themselves the extent of the problem. We will also be calling on Northern Ireland Water to erect proper fencing along the boundary of its property to prevent people from using the lane as a means of access for dumping. “

Cllr Enright concluded, “With the facilities available to the public for the disposal of waste, there is no excuse for this dumping to occur, especially when it threatens the health of the residents, and the message has to go out from the Council that this will not be tolerated. I urge anyone who witnesses illegal dumping to the Environmental Health department at Down District Council on 02844610823 and they will prosecute if witnesses are willing to come forward”.

Press Cuttings: Green Party hits out at Newcastle Dumping

DUMPING INTO LOUGH FEEDING ST. PATRICKS WELL

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on February 11, 2009
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Ballyhornan, Brian Wilson, Cadogan Enright, Downpatrick, Health / Local Services and Littering/Vandalism/Crime
. 0 Comments

Cllr Enright investigating the dump which has filled in part of the lough leading to Struell Wells.

Down Green Party councillor Cadogan has expressed great concern at what appears to be a major case of illegal dumping which he has reported to Down District Environment Officers and the NIEA.

Councillor Enright said that “This dump appears to involve the entire contents of the old demolished hospital buildings, Old Midwifery Unit and the stores that were knocked down to build the new hospital. It seems to have the rubble from the old Sports Pavilion from the Downshire hospital site too”.

“Any doubts I might have had that I was actually looking at the remains of the hospital vanished when I visited the site with an ex-member of staff who was able to identify parts of the building and hospital asset tags on some of the remains of the hospital on site”, said Cllr Enright”.

Cllr Enright and Green Party MLA Brian Wilson with Hositpal Lockers and asset tags.Cllr Enright said “I have alerted Green MLA Brian Wilson who is putting down questions in Stormont on this issue. We have independent confirmation of the source of the dumping, as some of the furniture has asset tags from the hospital site which I have photographed on my council-issued camera. Green Party MLA Brian Wilson and I are willing to give evidence on this.

Green MLA Brian Wilson said “One must assume that the contract for the demolition of the old hospital was correctly issued by the Health Board, and that they would have satisfied themselves that the old hospital and its contents were properly disposed of. We have written to the Health Board and the Minister to see what went wrong. Questions need to be asked.” Close-up of the asset tags linking the dump to the old hospital.

Cllr Enright said, “We can find no trace of planning permission for a dump to be operated on this site. Nor any trace of an infill licence. Brian Wilson and I have reported this and have been issued with an incident reference number 6351 and are seeking and update from the NIEA on this issue”.

Photos of the Dump being created can be viewed at the following links:
Photo 1, Photo 2 and Photo 3.

Green MLA Brian Wilson said “There are also health issues involved, as the Lough that has been partly filled in by this dumping is the same Lough that feeds the well used by Pilgrims at Struell Wells which is variously known as St Bridget’s Well or St Patrick’s well. Our Downpatrick Green Party councillor Cadogan Enright has published a map on his website showing how this Lough feeds the Holy Well.” CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MAP

Cllr Enright also pointed out that, “In 2006 the Environment Agency was asked to investigate the water flow problems at Struell wells when baths at the site started drying up. I wouldn’t be surprised if this dump we have discovered has played a part in the problem as it has filled in part of the Lough flowing into the historic site.” The Holy Wells at Struell which mysteriously dried up recently.

“For generations, the wells at Struell have been a great attraction for people seeking to benefit from the believed healing qualities of its waters. The importance of this site is profound which is clear in the history of pilgrimage to the wells and bathing house and any threat to the sites significance needs to be addressed swiftly.”

“This well is used by thousands of pilgrims and is a major tourist attraction in the South Down and Lecale areas. This incident once again points up the need for an independent environmental agency charged with protecting our natural environment and the long-term sustainability of our economy” concluded Councillor Enright. 

BACKGROUND NOTES

1. The site can be found by CLICKING HERE. 

2. CLICK HERE to see revevant map from the planning service – see lough at bottom centre.

3. The NIEA incident reference for this case is 6351.

4. The Wells have always been a popular place of pilgrimage for people wanting to benefit from their healing qualities – reputed to date back from the time when Ireland’s patron saint visited.

5. The historic site is managed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

Press Cuttings: Green Party Anger over Dumped Hospital Waste, Illegal dump damaging wells claims councillor