23-04-2025
Plant hire company and windfarm prosecuted for pollution of Leitrim river
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has today (Wednesday, April 23) confirmed two separate prosecutions against a wind farm and a plant hire company for the pollution of a river in Co. Leitrim.
The IFI said both pollution incidents occurred within the Bonet River and Belhavel Lough catchment in Co. Leitrim.
According to the IFI the specific location of the incidents was at Lisnagowan.
One of the incidents involved Tullynamoyle Windfarm 5 Ltd in January 2024.
The windfarm was found to have caused 'silt to flow into a tributary of the River Bonet'.
At a hearing at Sligo District Court on February 24, 2025 Tullynamoyle Windfarm 5 Ltd was instructed to pay a fine of €3,500, and €1,400 in costs and expenses to IFI.
River Bonet
According to Mary Walsh, IFI Western region director (Ballina) the Bonet river 'is a sensitive habitat and is under environmental pressure'.
'The fishery is only open on a catch-and-release basis due to declining salmon stocks there.
'This was a significant pollution incident which potentially impacted the water quality, and posed a serious threat to our natural environment and fish populations,' she added.
Separately IFI also prosecuted a plant hire company after a discharge of sediment entered the Bonet River system.
The incident, which took place in January 2024, happened at Lisnagowan within the Bonet River and Belhavel Lough catchment in Co. Leitrim.
At a hearing at Sligo District Court on Monday, February 24, 2025, Norris Plant Hire Limited was 'given the benefit of the Probation Act and ordered to give a contribution of €1,000 to a charity, and also pay costs/expenses of €1,000 to IFI'.
IFI is urging people to report water pollution, fish kills, or issues of concern in their local rivers/lakes to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.
