by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
A 21-year battle to block a Donegal County Council
sewerage treatment plant from pumping effluent into
Lough Foyle will end tonight unless a public meeting
in Moville reveals a groundswell of support for the
campaign.
In a bitter blow to local environmentalists last
month, An Bord Pleanala gave the go-ahead for the
controversial Carnagarve plant but those opposing it
are intent on lodging one last appeal which could
see that decision dramatically overturned.
Spokesperson for the Community for a Clean Estuary,
Enda Craig, revealed that a ‘window of opportunity’
has opened with a High Court appeal now a real
possibility for the Moville residents group. He
warned that the Foyleside group would not be in a
position to continue to fight the cause without the
support of the wider community though.
“We have identified a wonderful window of
opportunity and we have a good chance of getting the
decision overturned. But we need the support of the
Moville community. If we don’t get that support
tonight then that’s the end of it,” Enda said.
“If you care about the most valuable asset in the
Moville area - the walks, the water and the beaches
- then come along to the meeting tonight. If the
community doesn’t think those things are worth
fighting for then it’s over. We can’t go on any
further on our own,” he warned.
In another twist, Buncrana TD Padraig MacLochlainn
has called on Minister for the Environment Phil
Hogan to probe an alleged conflict of interest
involving a member of An Bord Pleanála.
The Community for a Clean Estuary group says it
believed there was a ‘conflict of interest’ in the
decision, which overruled an inspector’s recommended
refusal of permission for the scheme. It noted An
Bord Pleanála member Conall Boland, formerly
technical director of RPS Consultants, was a
signatory to the approval.
The campaign said in a statement Mr. Boland should
have ‘excused himself’ when the board decision was
being taken, as his former employer, RPS, undertook
a hydrodynamic and water quality modelling study for
principal consultants as part of the scheme.
Deputy MacLochlainn says RPS had undertaken a number
of projects for the council, including designing
Mulroy bridge and Killybegs harbour development.
The board has confirmed Mr. Boland was one of five
signatories to the Greencastle/Moville sewerage
scheme decision.
*Tonight’s crunch meeting will take place in the
Moville GAA clubhouse at 8pm. Members of the public
and politicians are urged to attend. |
