Owner of Cork hydro-electric plant has one charge dismissed against him over salmon protection
Judge Joanne Carroll made this decision on one of the charges brought by Inland Fisheries Ireland against Dan Twomey who has a hydro facility on the River Lee, south of the old Cork waterworks and directly across the river from the Kingsley Hotel.
However, further works are necessary. Judge Carroll said that if additional work was done to the satisfaction of Inland Fisheries by July 16 the second charge would also be dismissed under the Probation Act. If it is not done the judge warned that a fine of up to €4,500 could be imposed.
The judge recalled that after hearing the case last December she found the facts proved and adjourned the case until Wednesday for penalty so that remedial works could be done.
Grating that was three inches wide is now no more than two inches wide, it was confirmed by Charles O'Connor, defence solicitor. Senior IFI environmental officer Michael McPartland agreed this was done.
The second issue was in relation to the padlocking of the gates. Solicitor for IFI Vincent Coakley said that not all the gates had padlocks. Mr O'Connor said the defendant would have all the locks in place in time for a joint inspection before the adjourned date in July.
Mr McPartland said in December 2024, that at that time the grates needed to have bars with not more than two inches between them but that they were approximately three inches wide at this plant.
Secondly, he said that there was a second breach in that some of the gratings were found open when inspected. These are required to be kept in good repair and in a manner preventing their opening or removal.
Mr McPartland explained in relation to the salmon: 'If they get trapped in there they have no reverse gear to get out so the lifecycle will not be completed.'
In relation to flood waters getting over the height of the grating, Mr Twomey said: 'There is floods in the river and then there is the Inniscarra Dam and I have no control of either – I'm not God.'
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