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Woman caught fly-tipping in car park fined and has vehicle seized

Paul PigottBBC Wales
Newport Council Eileen McDonagh is pictured sitting in the driver's seat of a parked grey car, looking out through the open side window. The vehicle is parked in a marked parking area beside a wooden fence.Newport Council
Newport Council seized Eileen McDonagh's vehicle after she was caught dumping waste in Pillgwenlly

A woman convicted of fly-tipping has had her car removed and been ordered to pay more than £3,000, a council has said.

Eileen McDonagh, 37, of Thirlmere Place in St Julians, Newport, was spotted dumping household waste in the Pillgwenlly area of the city.

Newport Council said she drove off after being approached by members of its environmental protection and community safety enforcement teams.

Following an investigation, the council seized the vehicle she had used to dump her rubbish and prosecuted McDonagh for fly-tipping and offences relating to duty of care over household waste.

The council said there was "absolutely no excuse" for fly-tipping, which it called a "serious" crime.

Newport council Several black rubbish bags are scattered on the ground beside large commercial waste bins in a gated alleyway. Litter is visible across the concrete surface, with a drainage grate in the centre and metal fencing enclosing the area.Newport council
Newport City Council said fly-tipping "blights our communities"

In October last year, McDonagh was caught leaving household waste in the car park of Windmill Square, Newport.

Following a trial at Newport Magistrates' Court, she was found guilty and fined £480. She was also ordered to pay costs of £2484.48 and a surcharge of £192 to fund victim services.

The council said the car McDonagh was using when she was caught fly-tipping had been seized during the police investigation and would not be returned.

Environment laws give local authority officers the power to seize vehicles involved in waste offences, the council explained, citing Section 5 of the Control of Pollution Act (Amended).

Newport council A grey Dacia estate is loaded on to a yellow recovery truck in a parking area. A worker in high-visibility clothing stands beside the vehicle as it is secured to the truck, with houses and trees visible in the background.Newport council
The vehicle "used in the commission of the offence" was seized during the investigation

"Fly-tipping is a serious crime," said Yvonne Forsey, cabinet member for climate change, waste and recycling at Newport council, thanking the officers involved in the case.

"It blights our communities and the council will take action against those responsible whenever it can.

"Collections of recyclable domestic waste, which makes up most of what people throw away, are made weekly from people's doorsteps so there is absolutely no excuse for not disposing of it legally and responsibly."

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