Two men who pleaded guilty to obstructing an environmental officer from Mayo County Council from carrying out an inspection in relation to illegal burning were convicted and fined at Ballyhaunis District Court this week.
Gerard O’Boyle, Brenamore, Loughglynn, Co Roscommon, and Seamus O’Boyle, Carrowreagh, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty to stopping Mr Donal Hannick, an environmental enforcement officer for Mayo County Council, from carrying out an inspection on April 22 2008 at Carrowreagh, Ballyhaunis.
Mr Hannick told the court that on April 21 2008, an anonymous call was received by the Mayo County Council to inform them there was illegal burning taking place in the area. Mr Hannick said he went out to the area and spoke to both the O’Boyles and asked them if they knew anything about the alleged burning, to which the replied they did not. But he said on further investigation he was told by another person in the locality that there was burning taking place in the vicinity of the property owned by Seamus O’Boyle. Hannick returned to the property and informed both men he was about to carry out an inspection as was legally within his rights.
Mr Hannick was denied access to the lands and informed the two men he would be back with a member of An Garda Siochana with him. He returned later that day with a Garda and tried once again to inspect the lands, but they were both again refused access to the lands. Mr Hannick was told by Gerard O’Boyle that “if you entered the property you won’t be leaving it.” Both Mr Hannick and the garda withdrew from the property. Judge Conall Gibbons convicted and fined Seamus O’Boyle €250 along with €650 plus VAT costs. He also convicted and fined Gerard O’Boyle, €200 and costs of €500 plus VAT.
