Criticism as fire is started next to house on Dundrum laneway

Criticism as fire is started next to house on Dundrum laneway

6 March 2013

ARSONISTS set fire to old furniture and clothing which had been dumped illegally at the Derinilla Lane in Dundrum last week.

The blaze was started at a laneway located off School Hill in the village on Wednesday evening of last week which resulted in smoke damage to a nearby building.

Councillor Patrick Clarke has condemned those responsible for starting the fire and has appealed to anyone who knows anything about the incident to contact police.

He described what happened as a “deliberate act of vandalism” and said he was concerned that the laneway was being used by some people to illegally dump waste.

“I am very shocked that there are those dumping furniture and clothing at this part of the village which is a popular walking spot,” explained Councillor Clarke.

He said the charred remains of the items set ablaze would have to be removed by Down Council environmental health staff.

“The cost of this will have to be met by the ratepayer. It is not fair that the irresponsible actions of others costs law-abiding citizens money,” declared Councillor Clarke.

He added: “People should not dump waste illegally at this part of the village or indeed anywhere else in Dundrum. This is encouraging arsonists to set this material on fire with the subsequent clean-up bill having to be met by the ratepayer.

“The PSNI is investigating last week’s incident and I would appeal to anyone who knows who dumped the waste at Derinilla Lane or who set on fire to contact police immediately.”