A number of Travellers and businessmen are facing prosecution arising out of an investigation into illegal dumping at Dunsink Lane. The investigation was instigated by Dublin City Council.
Dunsink was in the headlines in October when a concrete barrier was erected at the end of the lane by the council to prevent illegal activity, including dumping at the site.
Local Traveller residents started a week of protests, while gardaí mounted operations involving about 200 officers, including members of the public order unit, during disturbances on the lane.
The charges are among a batch of over 27 different cases being compiled by Dublin's new waste enforcement unit.
The unit, established earlier this year, has been heavily involved in investigations into illegal dumping operations around the capital and on a national basis.
A significant number of the charges are expected to be against key figures involved in dumping on Dunsink Lane.
Some householders whose waste ended up being illegally dumped after they gave it to unlicensed collectors are also expected to be prosecuted.
The cases arise out of an ongoing operation involving waste enforcement unit staff, gardaí, and members of Customs and Excise in the Dunsink area since early summer.
Roadblocks and surveillance operations were mounted to target illegal operators in the area, who were collecting loads of waste and fly-tipping on the lane, which is beside the old city dump, closed six years ago.
In October, the council moved to erect a concrete barrier at the Finglas end of the lane in an attempt to cut down illegal activity.
This led to a week of protests from more than 40 Traveller families, who said the barrier forced them on a five-mile detour to get to shops and schools.
There were serious disturbances at one stage, with petrol bombs thrown at gardaí. Cars and a gate lodge at Dunsink Observatory were also fire-bombed.
Nearly €50,000 worth of damage was caused to the municipal golf club on the lane after the greens were dug up.
Gardaí confiscated weapons, and stolen and counterfeit goods in a raid on halting sites in the area.