Dairy Plant Denies Link to Major Fish Kill in Cork River

BREAKING: A dairy plant in North Cork has officially denied any connection to a devastating fish kill that has left up to 46,000 fish dead in the River Blackwater. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report today detailing alarming wastewater violations from North Cork Creameries, which they claim could have contributed to the pollution.

The fish kill, first reported by anglers on the morning of August 11, affected a 30km stretch of the river between Lombardstown and Killavullen. Eyewitnesses described the scene as “appalling,” sparking urgent calls for accountability. Initial investigations by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) did not occur until 24 hours later, raising questions about immediate response measures.

The EPA’s latest findings reveal that ammonia levels at North Cork Creameries were measured at a staggering 52 times above the permissible limit, with orthophosphate levels exceeding limits by seven times. The agency stated that the company failed to report these non-compliant discharges, which “may have caused environmental pollution.”

In a swift rebuttal, North Cork Creameries reiterated their position, claiming, “There is nothing at any level of concentration or content in the wastewater effluent outflow… that could possibly have caused the appalling levels of injury and death to fish.” The facility is located 10km away from the affected area, further distancing themselves from the incident.

The company emphasized the seriousness of the fish kill for the community, stating, “It is essential to ensure accountability that is based on evidence, not assumption.” They are currently working with the EPA to comply with their wastewater emission licence and insisted that this compliance process should not be misconstrued as a link to the fish kill.

Minister of State Timmy Dooley acknowledged the publication of the EPA report and highlighted ongoing efforts among five state agencies, including the EPA and Cork County Council, to investigate the cause of the fish deaths. A meeting is scheduled for early next week to further discuss findings and collaboration strategies.

As the investigation continues, local communities remain on high alert, with many anglers expressing outrage over the delayed response and the potential ecological impact of the incident. With both the EPA and North Cork Creameries under scrutiny, residents are left seeking answers about the health of their local waterways.

Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops.