Huge volume of disclosure 'outstanding' for Letterkenny pair on illegal dumping charges

A large swathe of disclosure in the case of a Donegal father and daughter accused of more than 50 charges in relation to alleged illegal dumping remains outstanding, a court has heard.

The case against Jim and Louise Ferry was listed at the current sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.

However, when the matter was called before Judge John Aylmer, barrister Alexander Smyth BL told the court that there are some 26 boxes of disclosure outstanding.

Mr Smyths said that in March 2024 a “fairly substantial letter” was sent and that “other matters” have been mentioned since.

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, but did not go ahead.

Jim Ferry (65) and his daughter Louise (34), 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.

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

In December, 2023, Ms Kelda Doherty BL, told the court that the defence team would not be in a position to proceed the following month.

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

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

At the most recent mention, Mr Smyth said: “There is an excessive amount of disclosure to be dealt with.”

Judge Aylmer adjourned the matter until the December sitting of Donegal Circuit Court.

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.