Clean-up costs for 'biggest illegal dump in Europe' could be 'much more' than £107million estimate

The dump is around 1.5km from the city

The cost of cleaning up an illegal waste dump on the outskirts of Derry could far exceed a £107 million estimate, Environment Minister Andrew Muir has said.

More than a million tonnes of waste was illegally dumped at the Mobuoy site before it shut in 2013.

Described as the biggest illegal dump in Europe, the Minister also revealed the contaminated site could now hold up the completion of the A6 road upgrade.

Speaking in the Assembly, Mr Muir revealed the cost of clean up work could far exceed a £107 million estimate.

“Work has been undertaken by consultants on the potential costs and will inform a draft outline business case,” he said.

“I am aware that one of the options contains remediation costs of £107 million, which, on a point in time estimate, are subject to significant change to the technical development and the timescales over which any remediation might take place. I am conscious that the costs could be much more than that.”

He was urged by Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan to consider a public inquiry.

Mr Muir said: “I am aware of the concerns that this situation could impede the second phase of the A6. As for a public inquiry, I am committed to ensuring the range of conditions in which the perpetrators of the crime against the environment are prosecuted and that public safety is protected.”

He added: “At the moment, my focus is on the immediate issues, considering the need for remediation. I am very conscious of the financial costs that would be associated with an inquiry.”

In a statement, Mr Durkan said: “The situation at Mobuoy isn’t just a huge environmental crime but an economic one. It’s put us on the global stage as the biggest illegal dump in Europe- yet to date, the gravity and scale of this horrific case hasn’t been properly addressed.

“We now have the Department for Infrastructure citing the Mobuoy as an impediment to the completion of A6 and subsequently, the economic growth of the north west region. It’s vital that Minister Muir works alongside DfI to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.”

He continued: “While I acknowledge the Minister’s commitment to ensuring the perpetrators of the crime are prosecuted and that public safety is protected, I cannot accept his reluctance to instigate a Public Inquiry. We are yet to fully understand the extend of the damage and risk to public health. In the continued lack of answers, the depth of anger and frustration from the local community on this matter is palpable.”

Mr Durkan added: “Proper remediation can’t be delivered in the absence of a full fact-finding exercise. People deserve full transparency and there must be accountability for this disaster- they deserve a Public Inquiry.”

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