VIDEO: Students protest over harbour incinerator plans

Maritime college students dressed in protection suits and air filtration masks were among 250 people who protested outside the site of a proposed major incinerator in Cork harbour.

Students were also accompanied by lecturers from the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) as they marched through Ringaskiddy yesterday along with people from as far away as Midleton and Cobh against plans by Indaver to build two incinerators yards from their college.

NMCI marine engineering lecturer Paul Nash claimed that he and many of his colleagues would seek work elsewhere if the company is allowed to build the incinerators which would burn off 240,000 tonnes of household and industrial waste annually.

“I’m worried for us, the students and the people of Cobh, where I live. WHO [World Health Organisation] quotes there would be an effect over a 30km radius from toxins and dioxins,” he said.

Mr Nash added that feelings are running so high people will blockade the site if permission is granted by Bord Pleanála.

Another lecturer, Captain Ian Black, said he didn’t want to be working across from the site for health reasons.

“Ireland doesn’t need incineration and I’m worried that the company will also import waste from other countries,” he said.

His colleague, Captain Bill Kavanagh, maintained the allowing the incinerator would jeopardise the world-renowned NMCI as foreign students wouldn’t come to it.

Cork Institute of Technology Students’ Union President, Shane Falvey, said all his colleagues were “vehemently opposed” to the incinerator plan.

“There will be huge health and safety risks to our members if this goes ahead. To build something like this so close to a third level institution would be nothing short of scandalous. We have made a formal objection and I’m delighted the enlisted men in the navy have done the same through their representative association PDFORRA,” he said.

Allan Navratil, a retired environmental scientist from Midleton, carried a banner which read: ‘God Creates, The Devil Incinerates.’

Mr Navratil, who is chairman of East Cork Harbour for a Safe Environment, said he was increasingly worried ever since an explosion last Friday at an Indaver plant in Belgium.

“Fortunately nobody was hurt, but they may not be so lucky next time,” he said.

County councillors Marcia D’Alton — an environmental engineer — and Seamus McGrath also joined the march from the local community centre to the Indaver site.

“Cork harbour has the potential to be a world class facility for tourism and research. People are coming from all over the world to NMCI,” Cllr D’Alton said.