Oil spill may cost over €1m to clean up
As the clean-up went ahead, there were hopes the oil could be prevented from moving further into Casla Bay in Connemara.
The likely impact on sea and wildlife was uncertain as Galway County Council led an investigation into the incident.
It is believed the oil leak came from a factory on an industrial estate run by Udarás na Gaeltachta.
Green Party national council chairman Diarmaid Mulcahy, a local election candidate for Connemara, said the spillage was a matter of concern.
“Udaras na Gaeltacha will hopefully identify what happened and ensure that whatever steps are necessary will be taken so that there will not be a re-occurrence.
“We do not want a spillage anywhere and certainly not into the sea,” he added.
Officials from Galway County Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta and specialist contractors, Atlas Oil, have completed their examination of the spill.
Specialist crews will take part in the clean-up operation. Samples of the oil have been sent for analysis.
It is estimated a clean-up operation could cost up to €1 million.
Galway County Council said the costs will be borne by the polluter.
Local environmentalist Jim Larkin predicted the spillage would have a massive impact on wildlife.
“We don’t know why it happened and we want to ensure that it does not happen ever again,” he said.
