*Ballymacraven River.
A NORTH CLARE group are to hold a protest rally this Saturday as part of their efforts to quell pollution in rivers across the county.
Save Our Rivers is the campaign of the new group formed in North Clare. The personnel involved say they are tired of the pollution, the fish kills and all the other forms of environmental destruction they see around them.
An unprecedented fish kill on the Ballymacraven River in May which saw over 2,000 fish die, has prompted the birth of the campaign. The group will hold a rally on Saturday (September 9th) at the entrance of Clare County Council’s offices in Ennistymon located on the Ennis Road at 2pm.
Denis Vaughan of Save our Rivers explained, “There is a clear need for this campaign in North Clare. It comes after the large-scale fish kill in the Tattons and Inagh Rivers. That appalling episode resulted in the killing of thousands of fish around Ennistymon. We lost eels, salmon, trout, flounder and rudd. Since then, we have heard several reports of the rivers being badly polluted, with consequent destruction of the wildlife associated with the waterways.
“At the same time we see untreated sewage pouring into the sea and rivers at Ennistymon, Doolin and Ballyvaughan. Lahinch Beach is frequently closed because of the presence of untreated sewage that gives rise to gastro-intestinal sickness. We hear frequent reports about the local tap water being undrinkable. All of these events have shocked the good people of Clare. They will not accept that terrible destruction of the Banner”.
Vaughan has questioned why the Environmental Protection Agency, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Clare County Council have not published reports on their investigations into the recent fish kills. “It is unacceptable that Uisce Eireann (Irish Water) and Clare County Council still monitor themselves. Their recent history proves that the system has failed. Multiple fish kills in Ennistymon are absolutely unacceptable. The rivers of Clare cannot be used as toilets”.
He added, “We frequently hear about plans for new sewage treatment plants in these locations but, again, nothing happens. This situation cannot continue any longer. Clare must have clean water and proper sewerage. If no immediate improvement is forthcoming the chief officers of Uisce Eireann and the County Council should consider their positions.
We demand that Irish Water and Clare County Council clean up the effected polluted parts of Tattons and Inagh rivers forthwith.
“Basic reform is needed. We believe the local water treatment plants need to be monitored by an independent body. The state can afford these reforms because Ireland currently has a huge budget surplus. Part of this extra money should be spent on water and sewage systems,” Vaughan concluded.
