Court’s €12k fine of waste firm ‘nothing more than a slap on the wrist’

Residents have described the €12,000 fine imposed on a waste firm for multiple breaches of the waste licence at its Cork City depot as nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

One of the leading figures in the Northside Says No To Rubbish campaign said they would continue their efforts to force the authorities to find an alternative location for the waste processing which is under way at the Country Clean depot in Churchfield.

Campaigner Joe Browne welcomed the company’s conviction in Cork District Court but said he was not happy with the penalty.

“The fine could have been more given what we’ve had to put up with over the last few years, and what we’re still putting up with. There is still an awful lot to do up there. It’s an absolute nightmare living next to it. We want it shut down and move it out to Bottlehill.

“We’re going to continue our campaign. It’s far from over. We’re going to keep pushing until we get the keys to Bottlehill.”

The EPA brought the prosecution against Country Clean Recycling, which last week pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to six breaches of the licence for its waste transfer station at Churchfield industrial estate, John F Connolly Rd, Cork, between May and August last.

Maeve Larkin, for the EPA, said infrastructural deficiencies and poor management resulted in the production of nuisance odours, which were likened to the smell of vomit.

Louis McEntagart, for Country Clean, said the firm had invested some €150,000 on significant infrastructural remediation of the site in recent months.

“Another €250,000 is going to be spent. And a further €700,000 is going to be spent on a further self-contained building which will facilitate the processing of this material,” he said.

Judge Olann Kelleher said he had a responsibility to the residents affected by the licence breaches. He imposed a €12,000 fine and ordered the company to pay just under €10,000 in costs.

Cllr Mick Nugent (SF) described the fines as “small change” to the company but said the conviction shows the authorities are now taking the matter seriously.

“It also vindicates the stance taken by the local residents who mounted high-profile protests,” he said.

Country Clean Recycling said it accepted the court’s decision and was working proactively with the EPA to address all issues. “The company has invested heavily in the improvements in its plant and shall invest approximately €1m in further improvements,” it said.