BREAKING: Tipperary dairy processor prosecuted for water pollution

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured a prosecution against Tipperary Co-Operative Creamery Ltd. for breaches of Section 171 and 172 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959.

Tipperary Co-Operative Creamery Ltd. pleaded guilty to water pollution breaches of the River Ara at Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary, and must now pay more than €7,100 in connection with the incident.

Evidence was given by IFI Fisheries Environmental Officer Oliver McGrath who outlined the facts to the court.

Nenagh District Court imposed a fine of €4,000 on Tipperary Co-Operative Creamery Ltd., and it was also ordered to pay costs of €3178.31, when the case was finalised on September 25, 2024.

The defendants pleaded guilty to permitting or causing deleterious matter to fall into the waters of the River Ara at Tipperary Town, contrary to Section 171 (1) of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959.

The pollution event occurred on May 7, 2024.

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Commenting after the court verdict, Lynda Connor South Eastern River Basin District Director at IFI said: “This outcome highlights IFI’s continued and determined efforts to protect and conserve Ireland's inland fisheries resource.

“The River Ara is in an unsatisfactory condition in Tipperary Town. Outcomes like this will improve the condition of the river in the near future for residents of the town, the river walk area and flora and fauna of the river itself as well as the wider River Suir catchment”.

Members of the public are encouraged to report instances of such as this, along with water pollution, illegal fishing or habitat destruction to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential number, 0818 34 74 24.