Walsh finds that two of Ireland’s biggest polluters are in his neighbourhood…
Update on the Slaney story here »
I read the Irish list of polluters this morning, as listed on the EU Pollutant Emission Register website. I was both appalled, yet unsurprised to find that two of the top 150 polluters in Ireland are less than 2km from where I grew up. It’s a stunningly beautiful piece of countryside on the edge of the river Slaney in Wexford, South East Ireland/
One of the polluters is the Rennard pig farm, in Crossabeg. I can remember the stench of slurry whenever the prevailing winds blew up the river. Once, when I was a kid, I went wandering around, and my dog of the time, Oscar, walked on to the encrusted surface of one of the slurry pits. The surface cracked and he fell through, and nearly drowned. He stank for days afterwards.
Also listed is Killurn Landfill, which is really in Crossabeg parish. It’s known as the ‘county dump’ – it’s a landfill for domestic waste, the gate of which is about 100m from the pig farm gate. The roads are grey with grime, and escaped rubbish. When people arrive at the dump to get rid of garbage, they often arrive too late, and find it closed. So they drive down our road, and through it in the ditch.
I can remember when the dump started, back in the 80s. There was a huge public outcry from the local community. The dump was next door to The Deeps, an old estate built by Parnellite politician John Redmond in the 19th century. But in the 1980s, it was run as a commune by Friends of the Earth. The local people and the FOE group fought the dump’s arrival, but it went ahead anyway, regardless.
It was the craziest planning. Both the slurry pits and the landfills are in… sandpits. How intelligent is that?
Nowadays, hordes of seagulls and crows flood the skies while the bulldozers work. The place stinks, and there’s an obvious escape of pollutants and nutrients from both sites – the reed beds at Killurn bridge have almost trebled since my childhood. Somehow though, neither of these spectres have managed to completely overshadow the splendour of the Slaney valley.
Rennard Pig Farms The Deeps/Cornwall Crossabeg: Ammonia, NH3 37,000.00 kg/year
Killurn Landfill: Methane, CH4 2,340,000.00 kg/year
Update on the Slaney story here »
EU Pollutant Emission Register website »
River Slaney picture »
(Both polluting sites are downriver and around the corner, to the left of the picture)
Europe Makes Public Industrial Pollution by Neighborhood »
Name & Shame
Here’s a full list of Irish polluters in the European Pollutant Emissions Register(ireland.com):
ADM Ringaskiddy, Ringaskiddy Co Cork
Antone Kiernna, Carrowcushcly Pig Unit, BallymoteCo Sligo
Arch Chemicals BV, Watery Lane, Swords Co Dublin
Arran Chemical Company Ltd, Athlone Co Roscommon
Aughinish Alumina Ltd, Askeaton Co Limerick
Bailieborough Landfill, Bailieborough Co Cavan
Balbane Landfill, Killybegs Co Donegal
Ballaghaderreen Landfill, Aghalustia Co Roscommon
Ballaghveny Landfill, Ballymackey Co Tipperary
Balleally Landfill, Lusk Co Dublin
Ballydonagh Landfill, Dublin Road Athlone
Ballyguyroe Landfill, Mallow Co Cork
Ballymurtagh Landfill, Ballygahan Co Wicklow
Ballynacarrick Landfill, Ballintra Co Donegal
Ballyogan Landfill, Carrickmines Co Dublin
Basketstown Landfill, Summerhill Co Meath
Beamish & Crawford plc, South Main Street Cork
Benduff Landfill, Benduff Co Cork
Brendan Kiernan, Ballyconnell Pig Unit, Co Cavan
Brian Kiernan, Ballymanus Pig Unit, Co Westmeath
Burgos Ltd, Tullyinchin, Cootehill Co Cavan
Carrick-on-Shannon Landfill, Ballynamoney Co Leitrim
Churchtown Landfill, Lifford Co Donegal
Conor O’Brien, Killee, Mitchelstown Co Cork
Corranure Landfill, Cootehill Road Cavan
Dairygold Co-op Ltd, Fermoy Road, Mitchelstown Co Cork
Dairygold Farms Ltd, Loughlohery, Cahir Co Tipperary
Dairygold Farms Ltd, Lissernane , Roscrea Co Tipperary
Derrinumera Landfill, Newport Co Mayo
Derryclure Landfill, Tullamore Co Offaly
Derryconnell Landfill, Schull Co Cork
Donal Brady, Carrickboy Farms, Edgeworthstown Co Longford
Donohill Landfill, Garryshane, Donohill Co Tipperary
Doora Landfill, Ballaghboy, Gaurus CoClare
Dublin Bay Power Ltd and Ringsend Generating Station,
Pigeon House Road Dublin
Dundalk Landfill, Newry Road, Dundalk Co Louth
Dungarvan Waste Disposal Site, Co Waterford
Dunmore Landfill, Dunmore Co Kilkenny
Dunsink Landfill, Finglas Co Dublin
East Cork Landfill, Rossmore, Carrigtohill Co Cork
Edenderry Power Ltd, Ballykilleen, Edenderry Co Offaly
ESB Marina Generating Station, Centre Park Road Cork
ESB Great Island Generating Station, Campile Co Wexford
ESB Bellacorick Generating Station, Ballina Co Mayo
ESB Poolbeg Generating Station, Pigeon House Road Dublin
ESB Tarbert Generating Station, Tarbert Co Kerry
ESB Moneypoint Generating Station, Kilrush Co Clare
ESB North Wall Generating Station, Alexandra Road Dublin
ESB Shannonbridge Generating Station, Co Westmeath
ESB Lanesborough Generating Station, Co Longford
Eli Lilly SA, Dunderrow, Kinsale Co Cork
ESB Aghada Generating Station, Whitegate Co Cork
Future Pigs Ltd, Nurney Co Kildare
Glanbia Agribusiness, Liscolman, Shillelagh Co Wicklow
Glanbia Farms Ltd, Gedney, Rearymore, Rosenallis Co Laois
Glanbia Farms Ltd, Kiltynaskellan, Doogarry Co Cavan
Glanbia Farms Ltd, Clonaslee Pig Unit, Corbally Co Laois
Glen of Aherlow Pig Producers Co-Op, Bansha Co Tipperary
Glenalla Landfill Site, Milford Co Donegal
Golden Vale Food Products Ltd, Charleville Co Cork
Gortadroma Landfill, Ballyhahill Co Limerick
Hanrahan Farms Ltd, Kilmore, Kilmallock Co Limerick
Heineken Ireland Ltd, Lady’s Well Brewery Cork
Hewlett Packard Ltd, Barnhall, Leixlip Co Kildare
Huntstown Power Company Ltd, Mulhuddart Co Dublin
IFI- Marino Point, Cobh Co Cork
Intel Ireland Ltd, Leixlip Co Kildare
Irish Cement Ltd, Platin Works, Drogheda Co Louth
Irish Cement Ltd, Castlemungret Co Limerick
Irish Fertilizer Industries Ltd, Arklow Co Wicklow
Irish Refining Ltd, Whitegate Co Cork
Irish Sugar plc, Kilvealton, Mallow Co Cork
Jack and David Ronan, Castleblake, Rosegreen Co Tipperary
Jack and David Ronan, Turbeagh, Mitchelstown Co Cork
Jack Marry, Danestown, Navan Co Meath
James and Nuala Gleeson, Ballymackey, Nenagh Co Tipperary
James Briody, Drumloman, Kilnaleck Co Cavan
James King, Lacken, Ballinagh, Co Cavan
James McGrath, Ballynameelagh, Cappagh Co Waterford
James O’Brien, Ballintubbrid East, Carrigtwohill Co Cork
Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd, Little Island Co Cork
Jimmy Foran, Reatagh, Carrick-on-Suir Co Waterford
John Murphy, Clondrisse Pig Farm, Killynan Co Tipperary
John Queally, Matthewstown, Fenor Co Waterford
John Ronan & Sons, Dudley’s Mills, Clonmel Co Tipperary
Kerdiffstown Landfill, Naas Co Kildare
Kerry Ingredients (Ireland) Ltd, Listowel Co Kerry
Kevin Kiernan, Aghafad Sow Unit, Kilnaleck Co Cavan
Kilbarry Landfill,Kilbarry Co Waterford
Killurin Landfill, Newtown Lower, Killurin, Co Wexford
Kilmurry Landfill, Kilmurry South, Bray Co Wicklow
Kinsale Road Landfill, Ballyphehane Co Cork
KTK Landfill Ltd, Brownstown, Kilcullen Co Kildare
Kyletalesha Landfill, Clonsoughy Co Laois
Lagan Pigs Ltd, Belturbet Co Cavan
Laragan Farms Ltd, Elphin Co Roscommon
Loctite (Ireland) Ltd, Whitestown, Tallaght Co Dublin
Loctite (Ireland) Ltd, Kylemore Park, BallyfermotCo Dublin
Longpavement, Monabraher Co Limerick
Loughquin Ltd, Castletownroche Co Cork
Luke Bogue, Dreenan Co Cavan
Mallinckrodt Medical Imaging, Mulhuddart Co Dublin
Marlinstown Landfill, Mullingar Co Westmeath
Marry Sow Unit, Littlegrange, Drogheda Co Louth
Martin O’Donovan, Cooligboy,TimoleagueCo Cork
Maurice O’Brien, Derrynanool, Mitchelstown Co Cork
Merck Sharp & Dohme (Ireland) Ltd, Clonmel Co Tipperary
Jack and David Ronan, Carraig, Glenville Co Cork
Maurice and Ian Tierney, Ballinamult Co Waterford
Michael Caffrey, Polleragh, Mountnugent Co Cavan
Michael Monagle, Annakisha, Doneraile Co Cork
Michell Ireland Ltd, Killowen, Portlaw Co Waterford
Macroom Mills Farm Ltd, Grenagh Co Cork
Mohill Landfill, Tullybardan Co Leitrim
Moy Isover Ltd, Ardfinnan, Clonmel Co Tipperary
John Kiernan, Lismagiril Pig Unit, Virginia Co Cavan
Maurice O’Brien, Corracunna, Mitchelstown Co Cork
Muckish Landfill,Falcarragh Co Donegal
North Kerry Landfill,Tralee Co Kerry
Padraig Kiernan, Gortavoher, Bansha Co Tipperary
Patrick Moore, Rath East, Tullow Co Wicklow
Patrick O’Keeffe, Mitchelstown Co Cork
Penn Racquet Sports (Ireland), Mullingar, Co Westmeath
Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, Little Island Co Cork
Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, Ringaskiddy Co Cork
Pharmacia and Upjohn Ltd, Inchera, Little Island, Co Cork
Pollboy Landfill, Ballinasloe Co Galway
Powerstown Landfill,Powerstown Co Carlow
Premier Periclase Ltd, Boyne Road, Drogheda Co Louth
Quinn Cement Ltd, Ballyconnell Co Cavan
Raffeen Landfill, Kerrycurrihy Co Cork
Rathroeen Landfill, Ballina Co Mayo
Rennard Pig Farms Ltd, Crossabeg Co Wexford
Roscommon Landfill,Killarney Townland Co Roscommon
Sara Lee (Ireland) Ltd, Park Road, Killarney Co Kerry
Schering-Plough, Rathdrum Co Wicklow
Scotch Corner Landfill, Castleblaney Co Monaghan
Sean Norton, Rathbeg, Gortnahoe, Thurles Co Tipperary
Shannon Environmental Services, Shannon Co Clare
SmithKline Beecham, Currabinny, Carrigaline Co Cork
Sunglen Ltd, Threecastles Co Kilkenny
Swords Laboratories, Watery Lane, Swords Co Dublin
T J Hanrahan and JK Walshe, Rosbog, Aherlow Co Tipperary
Thomas A Norton, Gragaugh, Ballingarry Co Tipperary
T O’Reilly and R O’Brien, Clonmel Co Tipperary
Tom Horan, Ballyculhane, Glin Co Limerick
Toomevarra Farms Ltd, Toomevara, Nenagh Co Tipperary
Tramore Waste Disposal Site, Tramore Co Waterford
Vincent Corcoran, Finnea Farms, Kilgolagh Co Cavan
Weyerhaeuser Europe Ltd, Clonmel Co Tipperary
Whiteriver Landfill, Dunleer Co Louth
Woodville Pig Farms Ltd, Ballymackey, Nenagh Co Tipperary
Yamanouchi Ireland, Damastown, Mulhuddart Co Dublin
Youghal Landfill, Youghal Co Cork
That’s a lovely river. What river can’t use a little more pig poo? Isn’t that what goldfish food is made out of? I’ll bet the trout are 41/2 feet long by now with legs and scorpion like stingers on their tails. Now that’s good fishin!
The trout aren’t too bad. There’s feck all salmon anymore tho, and certainly no bass. In (counts fingers) 1985 I caught an 8lb bass off Killurn bridge, less than a kilometre away from both sites – and this is about 10km up the top end of an estuary! We still get seals up there too.
I used to go pony trekking up by the River Slaney in my youth. Had a pony try to roll into one of the slurry pits you mentioned! I know what it’s like though, on a hot day with the right wind I can smell the KTK landfill in Kildare even though it’s the far side of the town! That and the mutant rats they have – urgh!
You are being misleading here. This is not a full list of top polluters, and is not a cause for naming and shaming.
Industrial activity with a significant environmental impact is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Firms are obliged to apply for a IPC license. As part of the that licence they agree to measure key emissions for the Pollution Emissions Register. They choose which substances to track. The purpose of the Register is to increase knowledge. At the EU level we will increase knowledge of these emissions and their generation. At the level of the firm it has been found that tracking emissions often leads to the discovery of ways to reduce emissions.
So the Register is NOT a full list of Ireland’s top polluters and there is no naming and shaming to be done. There could be and probably are unlicensed acticivities that are far worse polluters. Also, your list is of firms that have complied with the regulations and returned information to the Register. To name and shame you need to follow up with the EPA on prosecutions for breaches of permitted emission levels.
All industrial activity pollutes. All personal consumption pollutes. We like to ignore these unpleasant facts and then have a knee jerk reaction when we are reminded that of them. Villifying responsible firms is not an answer.
I want more MILK POWDER OF KERRY INGREDIENTS CHAR