Court prosecution following discovery of boat and other rubbish close to river in Limerick

FINES totalling €300 were imposed on two individuals who were prosecuted following the discovery of a significant quantity of waste on the outskirts of Limerick city nearly 12 months ago.

Limerick District Court was told the rubbish consisted of various items including awooden rowing boat, a number of mattresses, windows fitted with glass and frames, Bulmers cider packaging and a paint tin. 

A waste enforcement officer with the local authority gave evidence that the waste was found close to a local river on a cul-de-sac between Mungret and Clarina on January 29, 2025.  

He told Judge John King he visited the site after a complaint was received from a member of the public. The rubbish was examined and documentation linked to two individuals was discovered in a black plastic bag and a Dunnes Stores shopping bag.

The judge was also informed that when a team from Limerick City and County Council went to remove the remainder of the rubbish the following day it was not there. "We don't know who collected it, It was gone," said the waste enforcement officer.

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Judge King was told after being linked to the rubbish, €150 fines were issued to both Anne Marie Stephenson and Adam Stephenson of Bourke Avenue, Lord Edward Street, Limerick under the Waste Management Act.

The fines were not paid and the court heard that reminder letters were sent to each of the defendants in April and May of this year.

Both were fined €150 and they were each ordered to pay €359 towards the local authority's legal costs.

Anne Marie Stephenson and Adam Stephenson, who were not present in court, were given three months to pay.