A record fine of €20 million has been handed down to a company that caused immense pollution and nuisance odours at a landfill in Kildare.
However the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimate that it will cost €30m over a 30 year period to complete the clean up process.
Joe Friel, a local resident who lives less than a mile away from the dump, has said that the €20 million fine will be required simply to help clean it up.
Yesterday, Jenzsoph Ltd was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on one count of holding or disposing waste in a manner that caused environmental pollution in the form of nuisance odours at Kerdiffstown, Co Kildare.
They were not represented in court in any way and no defence was offered.
Mr Friel said problems at the dump began in 2003 and the smell varied greatly depending on the weather.
There is 3.1 million tonnes of waste on the site – more than double the amount the EPA estimated when they shut the site in 2010.
Meanwhile, the EPA has welcomed the court’s decision, saying the €20m fine reflects the seriousness of the case and the extent of the work necessary to clean-up the site.
In a statement, the EPA added that the fine sends an important message that environmental crime will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.