A woman caught flytipping in a car park in south Wales tried to escape council officers who caught her in the act, but her vehicle was seized and will not be returned.
Eileen McDonagh, from St Julians in Newport, travelled to the car park in Pillgwenlly and dumped black bin bags full of household waste. Environmental protection officers approached the 37-year-old before she drove off from the car park.
Investigation and prosecution
Newport council began investigating the incident and tracked down the car McDonagh had used when disposing of the waste illegally. The council seized the vehicle and prosecuted her for flytipping and duty of care offences in relation to her household waste.
McDonagh, of Thirlmere Place, appeared at Newport Magistrates' Court for a trial earlier this month, after which she was sentenced. She was fined £480 and was also ordered to pay costs of £2484.48 and a surcharge of £192 to fund victim services.
Vehicle seizure and legal powers
Newport council confirmed the defendant's car would not be returned to her. Environment laws give local authority officers the power to seize vehicles involved in waste offences under Section 5 of the Control of Pollution Act.
Cllr Yvonne Forsey, cabinet member for climate change, waste and recycling, said: "Fly-tipping is a serious crime. It blights our communities and the council will take action against those responsible whenever it can.
"Collections of recyclable domestic waste, which makes up most of what people throw away, are made weekly from people's doorsteps so there is absolutely no excuse for not disposing of it legally and responsibly."
Flytipping statistics in Newport
In recent years Newport has been the worst place in Wales for flytipping according to government figures. According to Welsh Government statistics, Newport recorded the highest number of incidents across the country in 2023 and 2024 with 8,139 cases – 37% more than in Cardiff.
While the number dropped to 7,318 in 2024 and 2025, the figures still show a nearly 17% increase compared to 2022. The rise in flytipping incidents since 2019, according to the Welsh Government's numbers, shows a 63% increase in Newport.
