Cork Harbour oil spill sparks environmental investigation

The gas oil had leaked from a small gauge pipe onto a marshy area below it and subsequently leaked into Cork Harbour. Picture: David Creedon

An investigation is underway following a spill of gas oil into Cork Harbour on Monday morning which has caused a “strong odour” in the area since.

The spill occurred at the Irving Oil refinery in Whitegate, with members of the public being advised not to use the shoreline in the surrounding area until the clean-up has been completed.

The Environmental Protection Agency said its staff are on-site to investigate the incident and to ensure that “appropriate corrective actions” are put in place to limit the impact of the spill.

“Once our investigations are completed, the EPA will consider further enforcement action in line with our Compliance and Enforcement Policy,” a spokesperson said.

The spill was first reported to the EPA by Irving Oil Ltd on Monday evening. The Port of Cork, Irish Coast Guard, Cork County Council, the Health and Safety Authority and local businesses were also notified.

The gas oil had leaked from a small gauge pipe onto a marshy area below it and subsequently leaked into Cork Harbour.

It was initially discovered following an inspection on Monday morning with a spill response team containing the leak by 1pm.

“The team also began attempts to recover oil from the marshy area and to minimise the extent of impact to the harbour, beaches and surrounding areas, including by means of containment booms,” the spokesperson said.

Irving Oil's spill response team was continuing clean-up on Tuesday, and are assessing impacts to the shoreline, waterbody and local ecology as a result of the spill.

Irving Oil's spill response team was continuing clean-up on Tuesday, and are assessing impacts to the shoreline, waterbody and local ecology as a result of the spill. Picture: David Creedon

East Cork Social Democrats councillor Liam Quaide said residents in Whitegate have reported a "strong odour” in the area since Monday.

“I’m very glad to hear that the EPA are on site and investigating the need for corrective action. This is a worrying situation and the sooner we have clarity on what happened and how it can be addressed, the better,” he said.

Environmentalist Proinsias Ó Tuama of the Sea and Land Trust, whose Clean Coasts Ballynamona group has mounted cleanups in the Whitegate Bay area, expressed concerns about the spillage and also about how it had been communicated to the wider public.

“There are a lot of unknowns and questions about this incident,” he said.

“For how long was the leak ongoing before it was discovered on Monday morning? What exactly is the nature of the material that spilled? Is it diesel? What volume of material was spilled?

“This area is tidal so were other areas of the lower harbour affected or at risk? And what do people do if they find injured wildlife like seals, dolphins or sea birds as a result?” he said while according to the EPA, the oil company notified local businesses of the spillage, he said news of the incident should have been shared widely.

“The company needs to do better at being a better neighbour,” he said.