Pollution blamed for student’s death

JOHN and Phil Power watched their 24-year-old son suffer from cancer for almost a year before he died last August.

Seven neighbours in Cappagh, Co Limerick have been diagnosed with cancer since 2001.

The Powers, who farm in the area, believe industrial pollution is responsible for their son's death and the spread of the disease on the 18-home two-mile stretch of road they live on.

Some of those hit with the killer disease were in their 20s and 30s, some in their 50s and others were over 70. The only common link is that they all live in Cappagh.

The family has felt threatened for years, but never imagined the mysterious health problems that have plagued Askeaton, Cappagh and Croagh for almost 15 years would almost destroy their life.

"We have always felt our health was threatened living here, but you get used to it. It's like living in a violent society, you stop noticing and talking about these things after a while," said Mrs Power.

Over the years some of their crops failed inexplicably and the fatigue and debilitating rash that afflicts dozens in the area affected the family.

In August last year, John Power Jnr complained of a back pain but his parents never suspected their son had less than 12 months to live.

Today his father believes he let his son down by not being more active in probing the health scares scares that a 5.32m EPA health investigation published in August 2001 failed to recognise.

With the autumn sun casting shadows from the seemingly perfect rural landscape into the family home, Mr Power talks of his anguish at feeling he failed his son.

"John was left down by ourselves and the authorities. I let him down because I didn't pursue what I believed to the extent that I should have," he said.

Mr Power had been a member of the Ballysteen/Askeaton Health Committee a group established after animals became inexplicably ill in Askeaton during the late 1980s but he became frustrated when it failed to carry out detailed research into the health issue.

"I suppose we were all hoping that it had gone away, but it had not. The greatest problem we have down here is inertia."

Young John, a history and English student at NUI Maynooth, was brave through his illness and never became angry despite suspicions he was the victim of industrial pollution. He suspected pollution might have been at the root of his illness and told his mother 25 people would have to die in Askeaton before the State would act.

"He was always sensitive, honourable and had a great sense of humour. He never became angry because he believed it would be a waste of energy," she said.

"John was hoping for a miracle but he was very accepting of what was happening to him." Today, the Powers want an end to the constant stream of health scares that keep repeating themselves in Askeaton.

They have vowed to keep researching and campaigning until the cause of the problem is found. "When you've lost everything, you are not afraid because you've nothing left to lose," said Mrs Power.

"We're determined to get this done because if it saves anyone going through what we've been through, it will be worth it. We're going at this alone and hopefully, with the help of God, we will figure this thing out."

About 12 years ago, the Powers remember that farmers in Askeaton were proposing an animal sentinel system.

This would involve constant regular testing of animals. Given that animals are closest to the ground, any illness they suffer could be monitored to see if it also endangers humans. Vets believe it's the most effective way of unravelling the Askeaton mystery.

The IFA still believes this is the best approach to solving the problem but they, along with the Ballysteen Animal Health group, failed to introduce the system back in the early 1990s.

"The truth is the most important thing to us and if we're right, time will prove it," said Mr Power. The Mid Western Health Board and the National Cancer Registry insist that cancer cases in Askeaton are not above the national average.

At a recent meeting in Rathkeale, MWHB director of public health Dr Kevin Kelleher said cancer levels in Askeaton were lower than in some other parts of the mid-west.

The Powers can't accept this given what they've witnessed and experienced in the last year. "What's happening on our road is not normal. If it was happening everywhere, then all the hospitals wouldn't be able to cope with the number of cancer victims," said Mr Power.

The Cappagh Farmers Support Group (CFSG) claimed earlier this year there are 70 cases of cancer and 55 related deaths in the Cappagh/Croagh area of Askeaton.

The incidence of cancer has almost doubled in the last two years, they say.