A JUDGE has been told that a Limerick company resumed quarrying activities at a site in the county despite having given an undertaking to the court not to do so.
Before Newcastle West District Court was Foley Plant Hire Ltd, who were alleged to have been carrying out unauthorised quarrying at a site at Barrigan in Askeaton, a Judge heard.
Limerick City and County Council solicitor Will Leahy presented evidence from a council inspector who visited the site in 2021, saying that he observed that quarrying was taking place.
The witness said he saw a “major operation” with around ten employees of the company involved in work including rock crushing.
The court heard that, when there was a previous complaint of unauthorised quarrying at the same site, the company gave an undertaking to the court that all quarrying would cease and the local authority was satisfied that that is what happened until the latest issue in 2021.
The company had ceased all quarrying after that, the witness said.
Foley’s solicitor told the court that his clients operate a substantial business with a haulage and waste permit, employing around 20 people .
The solicitor said that there was some confusion about the amount of material which could be taken out of the site but, none the less, his client accepted he should not have been quarrying.
He asked Judge Carol Ann Coolican to take into consideration that any conviction could affect the company’s future permit applications.
However, Mr Leahy, for the council, said the company “has already had its bounce of the ball” in court.
“These are quite serious matters,” he said.
Judge Coolican imposed the conviction and fined the company €500. She set recognisance in the event of an appeal at €500.
