Probe underway as discharge turns part of River Lee brown

'Chocolate brown' discharge spotted on a stretch of the north channel of the River Lee near Christy Ring Bridge the city centre

The discoloration of the north channel of the River Lee in Cork City centre was spotted near Christy Ring Bridge. File picture: Larry Cummins

An investigation is underway into a large discharge which turned part of the River Lee brown.

The discharge, which was spotted on a stretch of the north channel near Christy Ring Bridge on Thursday, was reported to Uisce Éireann, which said the matter should be reported to the local authority, Cork City Council.

A spokesman for the city council said they are now liaising with other authorities in an effort to trace the source of the material.

The incident was also reported to Inland Fisheries Ireland but the council spokesman said there is no evidence of a fish kill at this stage.

The discharge, which turned a long stretch of the river a chocolate brown, appeared close to a culvert opening which carries the river Bride south through Blackpool, under the N20 and into the north channel near Camden Quay.

The council spokesman said preliminary investigations suggest the discharge is not a chemical or fuel spillage, and could be earth or silt, possibly linked to building works upstream.

However, the spokesman said because the Bride empties into the north channel at this point through a culvert, identifying the source of the discharge could prove difficult.