Prosecution of Irish Water for contaminating Cork river home of endangered mussel adjourned

Utility has admitted eight counts of breaching the terms of its licence in connection with levels of ammonia and orthophosphate from a wastewater treatment plant in Boherbue, Co Cork

The existing wastewater treatment plant discharges into the Brogeen river, a protected conservation area and home to the freshwater pearl mussel. Picture: William O’Connor

A judge adjourned a prosecution against Irish Water for contaminating the Co Cork habitat of an endangered mussel for work to start on a new water treatment plant.

The utility was before Dublin District Court again following a four-month adjournment of a prosecution brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).