North Cork fish kill may spark legal proceedings over suspected chemical spill

Minister of State Neale Richmond said that Uisce Éireann was made aware of the incident at Freemount water treatment plant

It is feared at least 5,000 fish, including salmon, trout, and lamprey were killed along a 4km stretch of the Allow, in north Cork, an important tributary of the Blackwater.

Legal proceedings may flow from a suspected chemical spill that resulted in the deaths of thousands of fish in Cork earlier this month, after “warning lights were shining” about such an event happening, the Dáil has heard.

Speaking on Wednesday, Minister of State Neale Richmond described the event as an “ecological disaster”, given the number of vulnerable fish species in the affected waters at a “time of significantly biodiversity loss”.

“Of course, it is important to note that there is an active investigation into this pollution event and further action, including potential legal proceedings, will be informed by the outcome of that investigation,” he said.

It is feared at least 5,000 fish, including salmon, trout, and lamprey were killed along a 4km stretch of the Allow, in north Cork, an important tributary of the Blackwater.

Investigations into the kill are under way, with several State bodies involved, including Inland Fisheries Ireland and Uisce Éireann.  The water utility is investigating a spillage at its treatment plant in Freemount.

The incident was met with dismay by the Kanturk and District Trout Anglers Association, which said it was “heartbreaking to see a river that has been nurtured so much to be absolutely decimated”.

The matter was raised in the Dáil by Labour Cork East TD Sean Sherlock, who said it was a serious incident because “fish kills arising from entities that are operated by statutory bodies in this day and age are entirely unforgivable and entirely avoidable”.

Some of the fish kill in the River Allow.

“I wish to know whether the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the environmental regulator of Uisce Éireann, has the power to prosecute if it finds that there is fault at play here because if it is the case that Uisce Éireann was not fulfilling its statutory obligations in relation to the safety of the river, it needs to be put through the rigours on this one,” Mr Sherlock said.

Mr Richmond said that Uisce Éireann was made aware of the incident at Freemount water treatment plant, with the result of chemicals entering nearby waters.

“There was previously a serious incident at the Freemount water treatment plant in August 2022, which was investigated by the EPA with specific findings to be addressed at that point,” he said, adding that Minister Eamon Ryan will meet with the CEO of Uisce Éireann in the coming weeks.

Mr Sherlock said he was worried by this previous case and said the “warning lights were shining” and that “clearly, Uisce Éireann has a massive case to answer for this”.

Mr Richmond replied that investigations are continuing, and lessons would be learned to try to ensure such an incident doesn’t happen again.