EPA Prosecutes FSW Coatings Limited

On the 7th February 2005 at Virginia District Court, Co Cavan, FSW Coatings Limited pleaded guilty to four charges under Sections 8 and 84(2) of the Environmental Protection Agency Acts, 1992 and 2003.

The charges related to the failure by the company to comply with conditions of its Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) Licence thereby increasing the potential risk of pollution to ground by:

• The stockpiling and storage of waste on-site which was not in accordance with the requirements of the licence.
• The unauthorised storage of waste at a warehouse leased by the company at Cornanaff, Bailieborough, Co Cavan.
• Failure to protect storage tanks from leakage.
• The failure to store liquid materials and waste, awaiting disposal in designated areas protected against spillage.

On hearing evidence from an Inspector from the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE), Judge McBride imposed fines totalling €1,000 and awarded costs of €12,450 to the EPA.

The company, located in Virginia, Co Cavan, is involved in the manufacture of solvent and water based paints. The company was granted an IPC licence (Reg. No. 244) on 13 May 1998 for the manufacture of paints, varnishes, resins, dyes, pigments or elastomers where the production capacity exceeds 1000 litres per week.

The prosecution was taken in light of site investigations by the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) with the co-operation of Cavan County Council.