In this episode of Life & Depth, Ryan sits down with Dean Blackwood to explore the Mobuoy illegal dump scandal, pollution in Northern Ireland, and the fight to protect rivers like the Faughan and Lough Neagh.

Dean Blackwood grew up “reared on the River Faughan” and became one of the most persistent voices campaigning against environmental damage in the North.

From childhood mornings fishing with his great-uncle Albert to uncovering one of Europe’s largest illegal landfill sites at Mobuoy, his life reflects the changing relationship between people, rivers, and environmental accountability in Northern Ireland.

Dean also shares how his time working inside the planning system as a civil servant eventually changed how he viewed regulation, enforcement, and the role public institutions play in protecting the environment.

What We Talk About

• Dean’s early memories fishing on the River Faughan and the connection that shaped his life
• His experience working inside the planning system as a civil servant
• The Mobuoy illegal dump and how it developed beside the River Faughan
• Why environmental concerns raised by campaigners disappeared from official records
• The role of environmental justice groups and community action
• How Mobuoy connects to wider pollution issues affecting Lough Neagh and other waterways

Inside the Conversation

The discussion explores how quarrying operations and a recycling facility evolved into one of Europe’s largest illegal dumping sites, with an estimated 1.6 million tons of waste buried close to the River Faughan.

Dean reflects on how his understanding of the planning system changed over time, especially when he realised serious environmental damage was being ignored or overlooked.

There is also a strong focus on accountability, and why ordinary people often end up protecting rivers and ecosystems when institutions fail to act.

Why This Episode Matters

This conversation is about more than one landfill site.

It highlights how planning decisions, environmental enforcement, and political systems directly affect rivers, communities, and public health.

If you are interested in environmental justice, Northern Ireland, or understanding how local activism can challenge larger systems, this episode provides a grounded and important perspective.