A 'curtain sider' container, minus its cab, containing a load of waste material has been dumped on a minor road near Roslea, just yards from the Border, on Friday.
DUP Erne East Councillor, Paul Robinson, has claimed that the load had come from across the Border. He told the 'Herald' there was no registration plate on the container, and that, as far as he could see - having inspected the load - its cargo was paper waste.
Meanwhile, officials from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) carried out an investigation of the container yesterday (Tuesday).
A spokeswoman said NIEA was aware of the trailer and she confirmed that its staff were operating in the area as she spoke.
She commented: "Further action will be determined once the full situation is clear. If breaches of waste legislation are detected, these will be fully investigated and appropriate action taken."
It is believed that Police notified the Townhall about the dumped container. Yesterday, the director of environmental health, Robert Forde said he had reported the incident to NIEA on Friday evening and visited the site at the week-end.
"I spoke to them again this morning (Tuesday). It is basically a curtain-sided container. There was no 'horse' (cab, just the trailer. I only lifted one lap of the curtained side. I would say it's waste paper but, at the end of the day, it will be up to the Environmental Crime Unit within the NIEA to investigate, not the Council."
Meanwhile, Councillor Robinson said he had raised the matter of illegal waste being dumped here with the Environment Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA.
He commented: "This is not the first time that the border village of Roslea has been used as a dump for illegal waste coming from the Republic of Ireland.
"It has become an all too regular occurrence for local residents to discover illegally dumped waste in the locality.
"It is very clear that criminals in the Irish Republic are abusing their proximity to the border and evading costly rates for the proper legal disposal of such waste."
He went on: "Whilst those from the Irish Republic who are flouting the rules stand to make healthy profits, it is paramount that this crime is stamped out.
"I have contacted the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and I have also raised the matter with the Northern Ireland Environment Minister Edwin Poots.
" I welcome the commitment by Minister Poots to deal with illegal waste in Fermanagh in the longer-term.
"His Department has already been taking steps on this matter and has had successful prosecutions."
Mr Robinson said he would also be raising the matter with the Police who, he suggested, should have a role investigating those transporting illegal waste in Northern Ireland.
"This type of crime whilst making the criminals rich is costing the Northern Ireland taxpayer dearly. The clean-up operation, investigation and inconvenience for local authorities must be taken into consideration ultimately if someone is brought before the courts."
He called for the strongest action to be taken against those prosecuted so there was a proper deterrent for other criminals.
