Two Tipperary based milk processing Co-Operatives were successfully prosecuted last month for pollution offences. Tipperary Co-Op and Arrabawn Co-Op both appeared in Nenagh District Court to plead guilty to a range of offences in separate unrelated cases.
Both Co-Ops are geographic neighbours and are currently in talks to merge.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prosecuted Arrabawn for breaching emission limit values into the Clareen stream, a tributary of the Nenagh river. One of the breaches was failing to notify the Environmental Protection Agency by both telephone and electronically as soon as practicable after the breakdown of key environmental abatement, control or monitoring equipment in June 2023. Offences occurred over six different dates in 2023 leading to fines ranging from €1,500 to €2,500 and totalling €13,000 in all. Agency costs were also awarded in the case.
Tipperary Co-Op was prosecuted by Inland Fisheries Ireland in respect of an incident in May 2024. The pollution impacted the River Ara and has resulted in fines of €4,000 and costs of €3,178.31. The EPA conducted a detailed investigation of the operating systems at the Tipperary Co-Op plant following the complaints made by members of the public who reported a white “milk like” substance in the river as it flowed through the town centre. The court proceedings were held in Nenagh as the Court Service no longer sits in Tipperary town due to the lack of a suitable venue.
Commenting on the case Inland Fisheries Ireland says the river Ara is in an unsatisfactory condition and expects that such prosecutions will help to improve the condition of the river. Inland Fisheries Ireland operates a confidential service for complaints about pollution of waterways, illegal fishing or habitat destruction at 0818 34 74 24.
Tipperary Co-Op has been contacted for comment.