News from down the country

national | environment | news report Friday October 30, 2009 16:25 by Contaminated Crow

An incinerator, a windfarm, CCTV cameras, four telemasts and a factory chimney

A local GP in Nobber, Co. Meath, Dr Martin White, told a An Bord Pleanala oral hearing into the College Proteins’ application for an incinerator last week that toxic emissions from the incinerator would pose a significant threat to the health of the local population, while other local residents and farmers told the hearing how odours from the company’s current operations make their lives a misery. (Meath Chronicle 31/10/09, pp. 1,8,9,10).

Clare County Council has ignored local opposition and granted planning permission to SWS Energy Ltd. for a 375 foot windfarm at Loughaun North. Local objectors are expected to appeal to An Bord Pleanala. (Clare People 27/10/09, p. 22).

Mayo County Council has given permission to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to erect three CCTV cameras at Ballyglass Pier in Ennis and at Cloghmore Pier on Achill Island. A garda superintendent, Mick Murray, told the council meeting the cameras would help the gardai detect drug smuggling as well as police offences under the Sea Fisheries legislation. (Western People 27/10/09, p. 1).

A spokesperson for the Denniston Park Residents told a Granard Town Council meeting last week that the residents intend to appeal to An Bord Pleanala against permission granted by Longford County Council to Tetra Ireland for an extension to an existing telemast in the town and were not ruling out legal proceedings if their appeal failed. (Longford Leader 30/10/09, p. 2).

Residents of two parishes in Co. Galway were infuriated last week when Galway County Council gave permission to H3G for a 30 metre mast at Newtowneyre and a 24 metre mast at Belclare. Residents are considering an appeal to An Bord Pleanala. (Connacht Chronicle 30/10/09, p. 14)

Members of Clones Town Council, responding to concerns of local residents over additional antennae being added to the mast at the local garda station, said they felt they were being given ‘the run around’ by the Office for Public Works (OPW), Comreg and other agencies when the OPW refused to meet the council on the issue, instead referring them on to other agencies. (Anglo-Celt 29/10/09, p. 9).

Premier Proteins have applied to Ballinasloe Town Council for a 30 metre high chimney at its Poolboy factory as part of its pollution control programme. The Ballinasloe Environmental Alliance has been campaigning since 2007 against pollution associated with the factory. (Connacht Chronicle 30/10/09, p. 10)

Apologies for non-appearance last week but the Crow was in England for a long weekend.