Strong local opposition voiced at Tipperary biogas concern meeting held this week

A large public meeting organised by the Ballymackey Biogas Concern Group drew significant attendance and vocal opposition to the proposed development of a biogas plant in the area.

The meeting, held earlier this week, was attended by Tipperary TD Alan Kelly and local councillors Fiona Bonfield and Louise Morgan Walsh, all of whom spoke in support of residents’ concerns. Representatives from similar Biogas Concern Groups across the country were also present, showing solidarity with the Ballymackey community.

Deputy Kelly described the meeting as “powerful” and “very informative,” and said it was “quite obvious” that the overwhelming majority of local people oppose the proposed facility.

Concerns centred on the industrial scale of the plant, its potential environmental impact, and the capacity of the surrounding rural road network to handle increased industrial traffic. “The roads infrastructure alone would make this location unsuitable,” Deputy Kelly stated.

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He also criticised what he called a lack of engagement from the developer with the local community, adding that he himself has had no contact from the proposer or the landowner. “That lack of communication is a statement in itself,” he said.

While supportive of the broader role of renewable energy and biogas in Ireland’s transition to a greener future, Deputy Kelly highlighted the absence of a clear regulatory framework at both national and local level. He said that current planning guidelines are inconsistent across counties, and warned of risks to water quality, food security, and health and safety without a robust oversight system.

He further criticised the government’s failure to publish a national framework for biomethane, despite an existing committee tasked with this issue.

At the meeting’s close, Deputy Kelly reiterated his support for the Ballymackey Biogas Concern Group and committed to working with residents over the coming months.