EPA urged to probe ‘appalling’ Shannon smell

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been called on to investigate a foul smell which has enveloped Shannon Town.

Senator Tony Mulcahy, who lives in Shannon, said the EPA must carry out an immediate investigation into what he described as an “appalling and overpowering” odour which has been present for almost a week.

Mr Mulcahy says he has been inundated with complaints about the odour, which he says is becoming an increasingly regular occurrence in Co Clare’s second largest town.

“I have told the EPA that it has an obligation to protect the public and that I expect that the agency will deploy all available resources to determine the cause of this smell.”

He said people in the town were angry and concerned over the odour.

“People have very real concerns about the public health implications of this odour. I have spoken with officials from Clare County Council in relation to the matter and they have since confirmed the presence of the odour following numerous site visits. However, the onus is on the EPA to fully investigate the source of the smell and to identify those responsible for it. This needs to be done immediately so as to reassure the local community that any threat to public health is eradicated.”