A man and his wife were left shocked and disappointed while out walking their dog in a forest not far from their home when they came across up to 100 tyres dumped across two sites last Sunday.

Tyres were dumped on access roads at the top of Corraghy Road, between Knocks Road and Dernawilt Road, and then further on down the trail.

The man, who did not want to be named, is a regular walker in the area at the weekend, and believes the tyres were dumped there within the space of a week since his last time in the area.

“We take our dogs there all the time, so we see the change in landscapes and the forestry and vegetation growth and everything, and that was something we weren’t expecting when we walked up.

“I would say easily there were the guts of 100 tyres there across the two sites.”

They believe, due to the scale of dumping, that a lorry had just driven in and dumped the tyres, and feel that it has been carried out by a commercial business.

“It’s all lorry tyres, with the odd tractor tyre stuck in the middle. Lots of ruptured tyres that have blown out. It’s pretty shocking, to be honest, to see that scale of dumping in the middle of nowhere.

“We are only a couple of miles from that location, and we bring the dogs up there and we tramp around the forest trails, and to see that was a shock in itself.

“My wife, she was disgusted. It’s a very nice, rural and scenic location. It’s quiet, and there is never anything about, and then to see that up there [was awful],” he added.

As well as the sight of the tyres, the effect on the environment is also a concern for the walker, as well as the issue who will have to remove the tyres from the area and dispose of them.

He continued: “Whoever is dumping them is avoiding duties that need to be paid. Look what they are doing to the environment.

“It is a shame because it is a nice location to see that there [happening]. And it will take our taxpayers’ money to get a team of guys up there to clear it up and the cost of disposing of it.”

The Impartial Reporter contacted Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and DAERA, about the issues raised by the illegal dumping.

A Council spokersperson said: “Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is aware of the complaint and are investigating the issue.

“We are working with other relevant government agencies to establish ownership and next steps.

“Once the investigation is complete, the materials will be disposed of.”

DAERA had not responded by the time of going to print.