Pork firm effluent at ‘fish-kill’ amount, court hears

A pork factory was discharging effluent at “fish-kill level” into a stream that leads into a special area of conservation on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Clonakilty District Court heard that Stauntons Foods of Spital Cross, Timoleague, in West Cork, was “behind the curve” regarding its environmental responsibilities when incidents were noted on three separate dates last year.

The company, which is owned by the local Barryroe Co-Op, pleaded guilty to four charges relating to three dates, with a fifth charge withdrawn.