News from down the country

national | environment | news report Saturday December 06, 2008 21:16 by Contaminated Crow

Wind turbines, a gas pipeline, a poweline, amarina, a Garda raid and a prosecutions over waste

Proposals for an 8-turbine windfarm at Loughaun North, Tulla, Co. Clare by SWS Energy are running into the same public opposition as did previous plans for a windfarm by Ventus Energy Ltd., which was refused planning permission by Clare County Council on 16th January 2008. Local resident Mairin Kelly said ‘It’s disgusting that planning is being sought again on the same site for the same type of development. We opposed the development the last time. I live three kilometers away from it and I’m quite angry that we have to fight all over again.’ Objections to the turbines are based on their being sited on deep peat, leading to fears of bog slides, and other environmental impacts, including a possible threat to hen harriers. (Clare Champion 5/12/08, p. 16).

An oral hearing into a proposal by Shannon LNG to build a high-pressure gas pipeline from Foynes to Tarbert and into north Kerry which began last week received submissions from a number of local landowners and the Kilcolgan Residents’ Association raising concerns about possible ‘catastrophic damage’ from an explosion of the pipeline, as well as the risk of serious accidents or leaks. (Kerryman (sic) 3/12/08, p.24).

Nearly 250 people attended a meeting organized by North-East Pylon Pressure (NEPP) in Trim last week to review the campaign against EirgRid’s proposed powerline through Meath. Several speakers from the floor sharply criticized the Green Party’s Eamonn Ryan for failing to oppose the pylons plan, while NEPP spokesperson Liam Cahill also said last week ‘Fianna Fail and Green Party representatives were conspicuous by their absence from a recent series of grassroots meeting in the North East to update people on the campaign. Fianna Fail TDs told us clearly they will not vote for a motion in the Dail to make it national policy for EirGrid to put the cables underground, if such a motion is put down in the New Year.’ (Meath Weekender 6/12/08, pp.11.16).

Up to 100 people attended a meeting organized by Ballina Marina Action Group (BMAG) last Thursday to express concern over a proposed 60 million Euro development at Derg Marina, Ballina, Co. Tipperary. Marine biologist Dan Minchin told the meeting that it was ‘inexplicable that no Environmental Impact Assessment was being submitted for such a massive development beside a conservation area which included a Special Protection Area (SPA), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a National Heritage Area (NHA) in a recognized heritage town.’ (Clare Champion 5/12/08, p.6).

Gardai and EPA officials raided the premises of A1 Waste in Kerdiffstown, Naas, Co. Kildare on November 25th, which they searched for two days. Dean Waste, the company behind AI Waste, which has seen turnover increase from 6.3 million Euro in 2000 to 26.5 million Euro in 2007 and profit rising from 2.5 million Euro in 2000 to 11.1 million Euro in 2007, is attempting to expand its recycling operations in Naas but is facing opposition from Kerdiffstown Residents’ Association and other groups, while also facing legal proceedings over alleged illegal dumping brought by Wicklow County Council. (Leinster Leader 4/12/08, p.2).

A court in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway last week heard ten residents of kilconnell give evidence of ‘vile and overpowering’ odour emissions in a prosecution brought by the EPA against Greenstar Recycling Holdings Ltd. for failing to comply with license conditions at their landfill in kilconnell between August 9th and November 13th 2007. (Connacht Tribune 5/12/08, p.8).