Mid Ulster: Residents protest over compost factory smell concerns
A spokesperson for SSL added: "We take all community feedback seriously and are committed to operating responsibly and in line with our Waste Management Licence strictly regulated by the NI Environment Agency (NIEA)."Work at the factory involves the mixing of hay, chicken litter, and water to create a compost for mushroom growing.In March last year, local residents protested outside Northway Mushrooms to voice their concerns about a smell that they say they've been living with for years.Months later, the local school and GAA club said the smell was still impacting children's everyday lives.On Friday, members of the Cabragh Concerned Residents Association (CCRA) were once again protesting, this time outside Mid Ulster Council offices in Dungannon.
Joseph McDonald is a member of Cabragh Concerned Residents Association (CCRA). Speaking at the protest, he said: "What you see here today is the spirit of our community, we're annoyed and distressed by what we see as an injustice."He said this issue has been ongoing for five years and they have been living with the smell which is like "rotten broccoli, it hits your chest and lungs"."Mentally it's not good for the community, you go out and put clothes on the line and the clothes are stinking, just even simple things like that. The hallway in my house is stinking," he said."Clean air is meant to be a basic human right, we're not getting that and we're putting out a message to our council tonight that something seriously needs to be done about the odour in this area."
Protestors held placards and posters chanting "stop the stink".Many of the protesters said they believed the smell had gotten worse in recent months.Concerns surrounding odour issues at the factory in Killeeshil have been discussed several times at Mid Ulster Council.The protest on Friday is also connected to a new planning application linked to the factory.An application for a proposed "additional bio and roughing filter, yard extension (for bale storage), boundary fence and ancillary site works" has been recommended for approval.It is due to be presented to Mid Ulster's planning committee on Tuesday.A spokesperson for Mid Ulster Council said the purpose of the planning application was to "facilitate additional storage areas to ensure production is not interrupted" and that the proposed additional equipment would "mitigate emissions from the previously approved operations".
The application has had more than 180 letters of objections, many of which are from local residents who live close to the factory.Speaking at the protest on Friday a number of the protestors said they still had "serious concerns" that there would be still be ongoing odour issues.In a statement, SSL said it had "invested significantly in advanced odour reduction technologies".A spokesperson added: "To demonstrate our proactive commitment to the local community, an additional odour control facility is proposed with a capex of £1.2 million investment."This is not required as part of any regulatory requirements, but rather, our wider commitment to enhance the mitigation on site. Notably, no extension of the facility or further processing is proposed as part of the scheme. "The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) investigates environmental safety breaches.BBC News NI contacted NIEA about the latest protest but did not receive a response.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
20 hours ago
- BBC News
Emma Little-Pengelly defends Wimbledon trip as chance to promote NI
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has defended spending public money on a trip to Wimbledon, saying she will always seek to promote and champion Northern £1,000 was spent on flights and accommodation when Little-Pengelly and Education Authority (EA) chief executive Richard Pengelly attended the tennis has faced criticism for the spending from some Stormont parties, with Alliance's deputy leader saying she should pay the money back. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) defended its party member on Thursday but Little-Pengelly had not directly addressed the criticism until a post on social media site X late on Friday night. In the post, she said in her role she has the "huge privilege" of being invited to attend events of national significance, and that she considered it a "huge honour" to be asked to attend the Royal Box at Wimbledon as deputy first minister."The organisers invite a mix of political, government, investors, business along with the world of sport and entertainment, and of course royalty, as part of the official aspect of the tournament in the Royal Box," she wrote."It is hugely positive that Northern Ireland is invited to be represented at this significant UK British national sporting event, of huge global impact."I will always be the biggest champion of this wonderful place of Northern Ireland. I will always do my best to promote us at every opportunity and it is the biggest honour of my life to ensure our voice is heard."She said that while "some will criticise, some will try and attack", it will not "stop my positivity and championing" of Northern Ireland. Earlier on Friday, Alliance's deputy leader Eoin Tennyson told the Irish News that Little-Pengelly should pay back the £980 of public funding that went towards the described it as a "jolly to Wimbledon on the taxpayers' dime"."It's easy to see why the DUP is clearly unable to explain or justify why the public should be picking up the nearly £1,000 tab."The only decent thing to do, at this point, would be for the deputy first minister to pay the money back."His criticism echoed those of other parties earlier this week, including the Social Democratic and Labour Party's (SDLP's) Matthew O'Toole who said the spending "beggars belief" and Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) assembly member Timothy Gaston who questioned the "justification for the public paying the bill". What's the background to the Wimbledon trip row? The criticism began when the deputy first minister and her husband Mr Pengelly were pictured at centre court's Royal Box alongside celebrities including American pop star Olivia Rodrigo, professional wrestler John Cena and former England football manager Roy Hodgson.A Freedom of Information request by the Irish News revealed that more than £980 was spent on the trip. In the face of the criticism, the DUP said on Thursday the invitation was issued "in her capacity as deputy first minister and will be registered in the normal way".Both the deputy first minister and First Minister Michelle O'Neill were invited to Wimbledon, but O'Neill did not take up the invitation. The Executive Office (TEO) said O'Neill did attend the All-Ireland Football semi-final between Tyrone and Kerry later in July but there were "no costs" associated with that the deputy first minister's trip to Wimbledon, the Executive Office said details of gifts and hospitality received by ministers are recorded on the 'Register of Ministers' Gifts and Hospitality Received'.It previously said that the deputy first minister "flew economy" and that while she was accompanied by her husband, there was "no additional expenditure" incurred by the TEO on his also said the travel and accommodation costs were "in line with NICS (Northern Ireland Civil Service) police".The Education Authority said "no spend was incurred" by it and the trip was "made in a personal capacity" while Mr Pengelly was on annual leave.
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Miss NI vows to use platform to raise awareness of rare cancer: ‘It teaches you to never take a day for granted'
Miss Northern Ireland Carly Wilson has been named Sarcoma UK Ambassador after her own inspiring journey battling a rare form of cancer. The 23-year-old from Rathfriland was diagnosed with PAWS-GIST – an uncommon subtype of gastrointestinal stromal tumour that primarily affects young people – after months of being misdiagnosed.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Starmer branded ‘utterly pathetic' for rejecting Chinook disaster inquiry
Families of the 1994 Chinook disaster victims have said they will 'see the UK Government in court' after the Prime Minister rejected calls for a judge-led inquiry. A total of 25 senior intelligence experts and four special forces crew were killed when the helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre, en route from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness 31 years ago. The incident was initially blamed on pilot error before being overturned in 2011. In a letter to the families, Sir Keir Starmer said a public inquiry would not 'bring any greater certainty' and would not be 'in the public interest' despite more than 25,000 signing a petition demanding answers. Sir Keir's response followed an open letter sent to the Government by several families, all renewing their calls for a public inquiry. Andy Tobias, who was eight when his 41-year-old father Lt Col John Tobias was killed, said the Prime Minister's response was 'utterly pathetic'. 'The Prime Minister talks the talk about transparency but he's just slammed the door in our face,' he said. 'He says the Government is committed to transparency and accountability, but on the other hand – we'll just seal away the files for a century and tell us bereaved families there's nothing to see here. 'His response is utterly pathetic.' The Ministry of Defence (MoD) previously sealed archive documents relating to the crash until 2094. 'The MoD has marked its own homework on this crash for 31 years and hidden behind data protection rules,' Mr Tobias said. 'The PM should stand full square behind his promised duty of candour on public bodies. Instead he's hiding behind the deceitful MoD. 'I'm sickened and so are all the other families fighting for truth and transparency.' He added: 'Keir Starmer says we'll be disappointed by his we are absolutely disgusted. 'But we will not give up. And we will see the MoD and UK Government in court.' Sir Keir said the MoD had advised him that records they hold 'offer no insights into the crash'. His letter read: 'This Government is committed to transparency and accountability. 'However, given the extensive investigations already conducted into the crash, including two independent, judge-led processes, inquiries by both House of Commons and House of Lords select committees, and the original RAF board of inquiry, I do not believe that a new inquiry can bring any greater certainty or is in the public interest. 'The Ministry of Defence (MoD) advise that the records to which you refer offer no insights into the crash and are closed to protect the personal data of third parties.' The Prime Minister added: 'I am grateful for your letter and appreciate that this response will be disappointing to you and those you represent.' In a statement, the MoD said: 'The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident, and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died. 'The accident has already been the subject of six inquiries and investigations, including an independent Judge-led review.' The statement added: 'The closed records held at The National Archives contain personal information relating to third party individuals. 'The early release of this information would breach those individuals' data protection rights.'
