EPA Prosecutes Rory & Monica O'Brien Pig Enterprises

On the 07 October 2005 at Mitchelstown District Court, Co Cork, Rory & Monica O’Brien Pig Enterprises pleaded guilty to charges brought by the Environmental Protection Agency in relation to offences under Sections 8, 13 & 84(2) of the Environmental Protection Agency Acts, 1992 and 2003.

Rory & Monica O’Brien Pig Enterprises were charged with breaches of their Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) Licence. These charges related to the unauthorised discharge of contaminated water to the surface water discharge system and the failure to store animal tissues and carcases in leak proof containers.

On a separate charge, Rory O’Brien was charged with obstructing two EPA inspectors in the carrying out of a site inspection.

On hearing details of the offences, Judge Lucey imposed fines totalling €2,500 and costs totalling €8,094 were also awarded.

This prosecution was taken following two site inspections carried out by the EPA on 16th November 2004 and 22nd November 2004.

Rory & Monica O’Brien Pig Enterprises were granted an IPC licence (Reg. No. 409) on 6th November 2002 for the rearing of pigs in a 23,500-pig unit (2350 sow) enterprise.