EPA Prosecutes Adhmaid Cill Na Martra Teoranta

The EPA successfully prosecuted Adhmaid Cill Na Martra Teoranta, for offences under the EPA Acts 1992 and 2003 and the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977 in Macroom District Court on 15 December 2004.

The company, which is located at Kilnamartra Macroom, Co Cork admitted failing to store materials awaiting disposal in an area protected against spillage and leachate run-off and causing the pollution of two on-site wells, as well as the public water supply in Kilnamartra Village during December 2003. The contamination of the public water supply resulted in Cork County Council having to tanker water into the village for ten days while an alternative water supply was sourced. Approximately sixty households and businesses were affected by the incident.

Judge O’Connor imposed a fine of €500 in relation to the first offence and took the remaining two offences into consideration. The Agency’s costs of €5,990.65 were also awarded.

The company processes small logs into fencing posts by debarking and pointing, followed by the impregnation of the posts with celcure AO (copper, chromium and arsenic preservative). The EPA issued an Integrated Pollution Control licence (IPC) on 6 November 1998 (Reg. No. 334) for the treatment of wood involving the use of preservatives.

The prosecution was taken following the outcome of site investigations undertaken by the Office of Environment Enforcement with the co-operation of Cork County Council.