PLANS are underway to clear two illegal waste dumps in north Belfast which have caused an infestation of flies and rats in the area for the past two months.
Residents protested for a second day at Edenderry industrial estate on the Crumlin Road as pressure mounted on the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to move in and clear a warehouse filled with illegal waste as well as rubbish dumped close to the junction of Hillview Road/Crumlin Road.
One resident told The Irish News he had been unable to cook food in his home for weeks amid the influx of rats and insects caused by thousands of pieces of waste allowed to fester near his home.
Gary Lenaghan from Tennant Street described the "unbearable" conditions caused by lorry loads of waste, including food, used mattresses, asbestos sheets, wood and gas bottles, dumped at the two sites.
"Every time you cook something or peel vegetables, within five minutes the place is covered in flies - they're everywhere," he said.
DUP councillor Brian Kingston and loyalist community workrs had joined residents in calling on the NIEA to take action.
Mr Kingston said NIEA officials confirmed the dumping at Hillview Road/Crumlin Road was "without the owner's permission so the Environment Agency is taking the lead today to commence removal of all of the rubbish that was dumped".
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane , who visited the scene, said the landlord of the Edenderry site had "secured a contractor to come in and clear that site".
He said it was "completely unacceptable that this situation has been allowed to develop to this stage".
Mr Finucane added: "My office had been contacted by residents an we had been in touch with agencies and the head of enforcement at the Environmental Agency.
"They have been carrying out an investigation for a couple of week have gathered evidence and issued notifications, however, there was no compliance.
"Priority is to get rid of the household waste, it's unacceptable that it's been allowed to happen and there needs to be very strong enforcement to send out a clear message".
It is understood that North Belfast MP, who only stayed for a short time, was told by some people that he was not welcome in the area and should leave.
Loyalist community worker Winston 'Winkie' Irvine was seen talking with Mr Finucane at the scene.
When asked about the situation Mr Finucane said he did not want to distract from the "very important issue of the illegal dump and the plight of local residents".
Mr Irvine was not available for comment.
The NIEA had last night not issued an updated statement, but a spokesman had earlier said it was investigating the sites and arranged for the removal of waste at Hillview Road/Crumlin Road.
