Features
Environmental scandal of the year
The dolphins of the Shannon estuary are world famous. They perform a spectacular arching dance in front of the big ships that enter the estuary, bringing coal, oil and aluminium ore. A kind of prelude or alarm call to witness the arrival of cargo that is closely associated with destructive effects on farming, on health and on the environment of the whole area.
The industries
The ESB power station at Tarbert near Foynes is oil burning and over twenty years old. Across the estuary is the largest coal burning plant in the country at Moneypoint. A third heavy industrial site lies further upstream at Aughenish Island on the Limerick side of the river. Here raw aluminium ore is imported and processed for export in the manufacture of aluminium. This plant was sought after and built in the lean employment period of the seventies, despite the warnings of environmentalists that the red dust of aluminium ore would cover the area. Like the white dust of Irish Cement nearby, the red dust was seen as the inevitable price of industry.
The official response From 1988 to 1993 the problems unexplained sickness, skin rashes, birth deformities and deaths in cattle and horses in the Askeaton area continued. Following local pressure the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted an enquiry from 1995 to 1999, involving Teagasc and the Mid Western Health Board. During this period, the Geoghan family, who believe their health was effected by local pollution, gave blood, hair and urine samples to the health board for testing for industrial pollution. The samples, some of which were sent abroad for testing, have been mysteriously lost. So have the results of the tests. No results from this family are available in the EPA report. The final report, which cost €5.32 million, gave no explanation as to why the animals died except to suggest poor farming practice by the farmers concerned.
Independent studies
The EPA report carried little credence in the Limerick area or with local farmers. A number of independent studies have since been carried out. One report, on the death of the horses, pointed clearly to metallic poisoning as the cause. Another study, which was excluded from the EPA report, was by a senior forester who examined a range of trees in the area and concluded that the damage was due to air pollution.
The most recent report, by Professor Alloway of Reading University, examined the EPA report and concluded: "The methodology used in the investigation was scientifically flawed in certain fundamental areas."(Farmers Journal 23/11/02.)
Where to from here? The happenings at Askeaton and the response of the government Departments of the Environment and Health leave major concerns in the West Limerick area. This region hosts the largest number of organic farmers in the country. The area immediately upstream from the industrial zone has traditionally been a vegetable basket with a virtually frost-free stretch of very good soil within fifteen miles of the city. Conventional and organic producers have their way of life threatened without any talk of compensation. The area also contains a unique "Burren" type habitat at Barrigone which has only begun to be explored. Its wildlife and flora is highly sensitive to sudden pollution and acidification. There is a clear need for a thorough, objective, independent, scientific enquiry to get the facts of who and by how much is this pollution being generated. Action to stop the source of pollution is required without years of further delay. As to the samples 'lost' by the Mid Western Health Board and the lost €5.3 million 'lost' on the EPA. report, the management of both bodies should be held accountable.
For a while longer the dolphins still play in the estuary. But the nature and source of the potential danger that surrounds them and others living in the area remains unclear. A toxic cloud still overshadows a place of great beauty.
Health in West Limerick
"Four of my animals developed large lumps on the body in the past two weeks. ..It's the same as what happened to the other animals," said Liam Somers a local farmer who has already lost 96 animals over the past ten years.
"My family have farmed here for 250 years and never had a problem until now". Cllr David Naughton. Limerick Leader 23/11/02
130 cattle have died prematurely on Paddy Sheehy's farm over 11 years.
90 horses and foals have died on Andy Sheehy's farm since 1991.
There are some 64 human cancers including 39 deaths in an area of less than 800 population.that's three times the national average. Irish Examiner 14/11/02.
Well known organic goat’s cheese makers, Inagh Farmhouse, have launched two new products in the St. Tola range. Named ‘Divine’ and...
