North Galway farmers demand pollution inquiry

Farmers in North Galway have demanded an investigation into how a stream, which flows into the River Corrib, has become so polluted.

The stream runs through their lands at Kilcloghans, on the outskirts of Tuam, and they have been forced to move their animals away as they say that they do not want them drinking the water.

Environmentalists from Galway County Council and Fisheries Ireland have visited the area to monitor the situation and try and find a resolution to the problem.

The farmers say that they want to know the source of the pollution and, more importantly, are demanding that the situation be rectified as soon as possible.

“You can get the stench from the stream 20 yards away and we have had to move our animals for fear that they would drink the water”, said local farmer Tommy McDonagh.

“To all intents and purposes, it looks like raw sewage that is in the stream. It is nothing short of a disgrace and we want the authorities to act immediately”, he added.

There are five farmers immediately affected by the pollution and one farmer puts the loss of 10 sheep recently to the substance in the stream although he has no definitive proof of this.

The Environmental Section of Galway County Council are carrying out an investigation and so too are Fisheries Ireland who are concerned about any pollution flowing into the nearby River Corrib and the possible threat to fish.

Cllr Donagh Killilea visited the lands were the stream runs through after being contacted local farmers and said that he could not believe the smell. He said that he could understand why the farmers moved their cattle away from the stream.

“There is obviously something leaking into the stream and it is now up to the environmentalists to discover where it is coming from and ensure that the problem is rectified.

“The local farming community are very responsible and are concerned about the environment and that is why they are up in arms over this situation. They are also concerned for the health of their livestock”, Cllr Killilea added.

Meanwhile, farmer Tommy McDonagh explained that the recent spell of good weather has resulted in water levels being low which was exacerbated the smell coming from the stream.

“Any fish that were in this drain have all died. We suspect that this has been going on for months and we just want it stopped. The source of the pollution simply has to be identified”, he added.

John Conneely of Fisheries Ireland told The Connacht Tribune that they had been on site on three occasions and were obviously concerned about the potential impact the pollution would have on the River Clare.