Environmental Protection Agency secures injunction against piggery

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today secured a temporary High Court injunction against the owners of piggery which the agency claims is being operated in a manner that poses a significant risk to both human health and the environment.

The EPA secured an interim injunction today against Rory and Monica O'Brien T/a Rory and Monica O'Brien Pig Enterprises Killickane Mitchelstown Co Cork after inspections revealed that pig carcasses had been unlawfully buried on the site and pig slurry had flowed from the facility into the ground and a nearby river.

The injunction was granted today by Mr Justice Michael Hanna, who made the matter returnable to next week.

The order restrains the O'Briens, who have an integrated Pollution Control License to operate a piggery at the site, from allowing any polluting matter to enter, lie on or fall upon any soil, ground or water.

The injunction was granted on an ex-parte (one side only) basis. The Judge also granted the EPA permission to seek further orders against the O'Briens when the matter is next before the court.

In an affidavit to the court Linda Dalton an Inspector with the EPA's Office of Environmental Enforcement said that the piggery is being operated in breach of its IPC license.