Public Health at risk from Cyanide Disposal Plan.

dublin | environment | news report Thursday June 19, 2008 02:24 by Stuart C

On the 23rd of June,a private contractor will dispose of 15kg of Hydrogen Cyanide on the land of the Kilbride Army Camp in the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains. This land is in the catchment of the Blessington Lakes, Dublin's main water supply, and within 10 miles of Dublin City Centre. The Kilbride Army Camp borders a Special Area of Conservation.

On the 23rd of June,a private contractor will dispose of 15kg of Hydrogen Cyanide on the land of the Kilbride Army Camp in the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains. This land is in the catchment of the Blessington Lakes, Dublin's main water supply, and within 10 miles of Dublin City Centre. The Kilbride Army Camp borders a Special Area of Conservation.

The Hydrogen Cyanide is being disposed of on behalf of Rentokill and South Dublin County Council, but rather then sending the toxic waste for incineration in a chemical incinerator, they intend to attach an explosive charge to the canisters, in a manner that would appear to be 'dispersal' rather than disposal.

The Army will establish a 1km exclusion zone around the site, and will request that locals vacate their homes for up to a week, and are requesting that grazing animals be removed from the mountains for an unspecified amount of time. Within the exclusion zone there is a commercial salmon hatchery that depends on the pristine water conditions of the Shankill River, a tributary of the River Liffey.

All locals families are opposed to this plan, and would ask why is this disposal/dispersal of toxic waste being done in such a manner in such an unsuitable location. Why is the water supply of a million people being endangered in this way? Why is the toxic waste not being sent for proper disposal?

Listen up People! This act of stupidity is being committed without any consultation with our elected representatives (Councillors or TDs). They have known nothing about this plan to dispose of 15kg of Hydrogen Cyanide in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains. The people, and our elected representaives, have absolutely no say on this matter. It is being managed by a SDCC official (John Quinlivin) without any consultation with the affected communities, or without consultaion with our elected representaives. The People have been given no say whatsoever. Indeed, the People were never meant to find out about it! It was supposed to be carried out secretly, despite the risks involved. And how can that be legal? As an 'executive order' from a Local Authority manager under the Waste Managment Act, apparently.

This evening's meeting drew a very large crowd of concerned people from both Dublin and Wicklow. The meeting was chaired by Cllr Gerry O'Neill(SF) who, with Cllr John Brady(SF), is largely responsible for raising public awareness to this issue. The meeting began with both Councillors outlining their involvement in the case, and then moved on to contributions from Billy Timmins TD (FG), Cllr Tommy Cullen (Lab) and many other voices from the floor. Also present was South Dublin County Councillor Mark Daly (SF) who spoke of his fears for his own constituents in Tallaght. West Wicklow Green Party representative Pat Pidgeon was also present, and opined that this issue was 'very serious' and that he 'supports any action to stop this plan'. Billy Timmins spoke of a'disconnect between the Local Authorities and the Public' and suggested that people should stop the Hydrogen Cyanide leaving Ballymount Industrial Estate.

The Chair of the meeting estimated that up to 300 people were present.

A number of very interesting things emerged from the meeting.

1.The Wicklow County Manager was informed of the plan months ago (as a matter of courtesy!)
2.Minister for the Environment John Gormley has also been aware for months.
3.PDFORA (Defense forces representaive organisation) are 'very fearful' for the health and well being of their members.
4.When approached Wicklow Senator DeBurca would not engage in any discussion about the plan.
5.The Risk Assessment for the operation is still not complete.

There was fierce opposition to the plan from the floor, with many voices calling for direct action to prevent it. These opinions were greeted with loud applause, but the Chair of the meeting attempted to keep a focus on seeking action from the Minister for the Environment. It was generally agreed that both avenues would be pursued, but any direct action would aim to be peaceful.

Protest tomorrow Thursday at the Rentokil premises in Ballymount Tallaght at 3.30pm.

Protest on Friday at 6pm at the Kilbride Camp.

Make your voices heard!