Five sites linked to majority of odour complaints as EPA steps up enforcement

North Cork Creameries site in Kanturk where it's dairy processing activity has been forced to ceased Up to 100 jobs could be lost. Picture: Noel Sweeney

The number of complaints made by members of the public over foul smells coming from industrial or waste sites almost doubled last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said.

In its 2025 sector enforcement summary, the EPA reported that the food and drinks sector accounted for half of all complaints it received last year, while just five sites accounted for nearly three in five complaints from the public.

“Odour is a persistent issue at a small number of licensed sites,” said Pamela McDonnell, programme manager at the EPA’s office of environmental enforcement. “Operators must be good neighbours by preventing nuisance odours from impacting on people in their local communities. The EPA will continue to take action where odour nuisance occurs, including escalating enforcement measures.”

In addition to receiving 1,181 complaints in 2025, including odour complaints rising to 753 from 388 the previous year, the EPA said it conducted 1,681 inspections of sites in the industrial and waste sectors last year.

While it said compliance was good overall, there were a few problem sites identified, as just 5% of sites accounted for 39% of all detected non-compliances.

The site that was inspected the most by the EPA last year was North Cork Creameries, which was inspected 50 times. The next most was 18 times. The plant was ordered last month by the EPA to stop discharging effluent from the site into the River Allow due to ongoing non-compliance with emission limit values, plunging its future into uncertainty.

The EPA said the discharge will not be permitted to resume until it is satisfied that the licensee can reliably maintain steady-state compliance with licence requirements on an ongoing basis.

In its report, the watchdog said it was one of its 10 “national priority sites” to focus on last year. Only three remained on the list at the end of the year, and the EPA said it came from increased enforcement and a corresponding “rise in investment to commitment to compliance”.

As well as water discharge, the agency said the anaerobic digestion sector has presented “persistent challenges” including inadequate measures to control odours and insufficient infrastructure.

Separately, it said that five cases were concluded in either the district or circuit court last year, resulting in a conviction in industrial and waste cases.

These resulted in fines being imposed on firms totalling €246,000 and a further €152,500 in donations imposed by the court.

“While the overall level of compliance continues to be good, the EPA has seen a continued pattern of non-compliance in a small number of sites,” Ms McDonnell said.

“The consequences of non-compliance can be significant for the environment and those living locally. The EPA will continue to maintain a strong on-the-ground presence across our licensed community to target those failing to comply.”