Judge Orders Abandoned Lorry Removed by March, Owner Fined

UPDATE: A court has just ordered the immediate removal of an abandoned lorry described as an “eyesore” by Judge Brendan O’Reilly. The owner, Colm Devanney, has until March 2024 to clear the vehicle from a property at Kilronan on Inis Mór, as confirmed in a recent hearing at Cill Rónáin district court.

Judge O’Reilly expressed frustration over the lorry’s presence, stating it detracts from the island’s natural beauty, especially as tourists flock to see the famed Dún Aonghasa. “Look at the cut of it. Can you not paint it or something?” he questioned Mr. Devanney during the hearing. The judge remarked, “It’s an eyesore. Tourists come here to look at Dún Aonghasa and then they see this.”

The Galway County Council initiated legal proceedings under the Waste Management Act 1996, seeking to compel Devanney to remove the vehicle, which has been unresolved since 2021. Judge O’Reilly granted the council’s application for a Section 58 order, emphasizing that “this is to be gone by March.” He added, “Anything other than, and any excuses won’t wash,” signaling the urgency of the matter.

Devanney acknowledged ownership of the lorry and mentioned he had made arrangements to sell it to a buyer in Corrandulla. However, he admitted he has faced challenges transporting the vehicle back to the mainland and has reached out to several contractors for assistance, to no avail.

The court also revealed that Devanney has outstanding fines totaling €5,000 from previous infractions dating back to 2018. His solicitor, Michael Cunningham, noted that Devanney is of “very little means.” Judge O’Reilly instructed Devanney to devise a payment plan, suggesting he should pay the fine in three installments, which Devanney countered by proposing five.

“The ball is very much in your court,” Judge O’Reilly stated, pressuring Devanney to take action. He indicated that the first payment is due by March 2026, leaving Devanney to clarify, “Oh, I thought it was today. Okay, we’ll go for that.”

This ongoing saga highlights the challenges of managing waste and abandoned vehicles on remote islands, where local governance is crucial for maintaining both aesthetics and environmental standards. As the March deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Devanney to see if he can finally resolve this issue.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.