Lack of progress on cancer review

A STATE review of claims that cancer rates are three times higher than normal in west Limerick still hasn't produced findings one year after it was established.

Almost 12 months ago, Health Minister Micheál Martin agreed to examine concerns of Askeaton residents who believe industrial pollution is causing high cancer levels, miscarriages and respiratory problems in the area.

"We though the minister's review would have made more progress at this stage. We have not been able to see the minister since the meeting last year and he has ignored our letters," said Pat Geoghegan of the Cappagh Farmers Support Group (CFSG).

The review followed a meeting between the minister and members of the CFSG at Government Buildings last November. The minister agreed to review the concerns of locals, who claim to have evidence industrial pollution was causing very high cancer levels in a small area.

The group compiled a list of 62 cancer cases in a region measuring four and a half square miles, with a population of 800.

Their findings suggested cancer rates were running at three times the national average in the Cappagh and Croagh areas of Askeaton.

This view was supported by the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI), who carried out a study that confirmed high cancer figures in west Limerick.

A Department of Health spokesperson said yesterday the allegedly high cancer rates in Askeaton is a "complex" matter and department officials are still investigating the cancer cluster claims.

The Mid Western Health Board has disputed the group's cancer findings and a new report into the figures is

expected to be presented at the board's November meeting.

For more than 10 years locals have claimed industrial pollution is the main cause of the animal and human health problems in Askeaton. But a €5.32 million four-year EPA probe failed to find definite reasons for the human and animal ailments that have plagued the area since the late 1980s.

Minister Martin's review also failed to make any progress on the reasons why blood, hair and urine samples

supplied by CFSG founder Pat

Geoghegan went missing. The Geoghegans, who own a farm in Boolaglass near Askeaton, provided samples for testing at the board's laboratory. After an internal inquiry the board apologised for losing the samples but there was no evidence to suggest they were lost on purpose.