Two Derry Men Jailed Over Europe’s Largest Illegal Dumping Operation

Two men, Paul Doherty and Gerard Farmer, have been jailed at Derry Crown Court for their roles in operating one of Europe's largest illegal dumps at Mobuoy, outside Derry, Northern Ireland. The illicit dump, covering over 100 acres near the River Faughan, contained over 600,000 tonnes of waste, much of which was household waste, and was part of a sophisticated, financially motivated environmental crime generating more than £40 million in proceeds. Doherty was sentenced to 12 months while Farmer received 21 months, with the judge emphasizing their deliberate actions motivated entirely by greed. The dump, which involved shredding and burning waste falsely declared for recycling, has caused extensive environmental damage, with cleanup costs estimated up to £100 million. Both men pleaded guilty to multiple waste offences spanning several years, and authorities highlighted the complexity of the case and the significant public expenditure required for remediation. The sentences were welcomed by Northern Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, who condemned the crime as unprecedented in scale.