Meegan was sentenced to fines totaling £1,500 plus a £60 offenders fee at Newry Crown Court on Friday for breaching waste management legislation.

After establishing that Meegan did not have a permit or authorization to authorize the scrapping of vehicles at the site, the NIEA issued a notice to Meegan requiring it to cease its activities.

He was then ordered to remove the waste and provide documents proving its legal disposal.

The documents were not submitted and, following six further inspections of the site between February 26, 2018 and September 24, 2019 by the NIEA, more ELVs and mechanical waste were discovered accumulating at the site.

Controlled waste discovered at 75 Ballsmill Road Crossmaglen during the NIEA investigation included up to 100 ELVs, including trucks and heavy machinery, cars, tires, chemical/oil drums, lead-acid batteries, vehicle parts and paint cans.

Following the issue of the arrest warrant, Meegan was subsequently arrested on 5 January 2024 and returned to NI on 24 January 2024 where he remained until the trial took place.