Woman convicted of dumping after couch is taken from Limerick home and thrown on bonfire

A WOMAN who allowed two men to carry a leather couch from her home before throwing it onto a bonfire has been fined €750 after she was convicted of a dumping offence.

Laura Ambrose, who has an address at Byrne Avenue, Ballincaurra Weston, Limerick was prosecuted by Limerick City and County Council, arising from an incident on April 7, last.

Ms Ambrose was not present at Limerick District Court when her case was heard by Judge Catherine Ryan who said she was satisfied to proceed in her absence.

During the case, solicitor, Will Leahy, representing the local authority, presented CCTV evidence of the alleged incident to the court.

In the footage, two people can be seen carrying the couch from the side of Ms Ambrose's home along a public street to a green area in the estate. The footage then shows the two men throwing the couch onto a large fire which had already been started on the green area.

READ NEXT: 'I must have been stoned off my head': Limerick man steals €70k BMW and parks it outside his home

An environmental enforcement officer testified that the two individuals who carried the couch have not been identified but that he could confirm the couch did come from Ms Ambrose's property.

He said having viewed the CCTV footage following the incident, he made contact with the owner of the property who confirmed that Ms Ambrose was a tenant there.

Mr Leahy said Ms Ambrose has no previous convictions and he asked the court to note that her refuse collection service has not been active due to lack of payment "for some time."

Having viewed the CCTV and having considered the evidence, Judge Ryan said she was satisfied to convict Ms Ambrose under section 32 (2) of the Waste Management Act.

She imposed a €750 fine and directed that she pay the costs of the local authority, which totalled €541.50.