Trial of Letterkenny father and daughter on illegal dumping charges deferred

A trial involving a Donegal father and daughter, who are accused of more than 50 charges in relation to alleged illegal dumping will not take place next month.

The case against Jim Ferry and Louise Ferry had initially been listed as a back-up trial for a special sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court from January 23, 2024.

The court has heard that the case could last three weeks and will require a jury to be empanelled.

The case was mentioned at Donegal Circuit Court this week.

Barrister for the Ferrys, Ms Kelda Doherty BL, told the court that the defence team would not be in a position to proceed in January.

Ms Doherty told Judge John Aylmer that there are ‘a number of matters’ relating to disclosure that are still outstanding.

“It is not realistic to have all matters ready for January 23,” Ms Doherty said in applying for the hearing date to be vacated.

Judge Aylmer said it was ‘unfortunate as the opportunity for a three-week trial is rare enough’.

Judge Aylmer granted the application.

Jim Ferry (63) and his daughter Louise (32), both of Slieve Sneacht Road, Letterkenny are charged in relation to the alleged dumping by their company, Ferry’s Refuse Recycling Ltd, on lands owned by Mr Ferry at Rossbracken, Letterkenny.

Books of evidence have already been served on the accused.

Jim Ferry faces 41 charges of illegal dumping under the Waste Management Act at Rossbracken, Letterkenny.

Charges allege that he held, disposed of, or treated waste in a manner that caused or was likely to cause environmental pollution.

Included among the charges are that he failed to comply with a notice issued by Donegal County Council in 2017 which was issued to stop him holding or disposing of waste on the site.

Mr Ferry is charged as being a director of Ferry’s Refuse Recycling Limited and also as the registered owner of the lands at Rossbracken.

Mr Ferry’s daughter, Louise Ferry, faces ten charges, relating to offences under the Waste Management Act, covering a period between 2014 and 2017.

Ms Ferry is charged that on different dates, and as a director of the company, she was responsible for waste being disposed of on lands at Rossbracken that was likely to cause pollution.