| Wicklow People | 17th July 2003 | staff reporter |
More than 250 angry residents gathered last Friday night to vent their anger at the proposed development of an animal incinerator in Redcross.
Worried residents listened as guest speaker Frank Corcoran of An Taisce explained the dangers of animal incineration, and the effects which the process could have in the Redcross area - specifically to dairy farming.
He said that burning this type of organic waste sent harmful dioxins into the air, and that dairy cows, by eating grass could pick up as much of these dioxins in one day as a human would in fourteen years.
'In the dairy industry produce is monitored and if dioxins are found, many countries will not buy it', he claimed.
He said that in the global dairy industry, Ireland and New Zealand are the two counties in which there are no incinerators and their produce is widely known as dioxin-free.
A number of speakers also voiced concern over recent newspaper notices which appeared to be seeking waste collection from 11 other counties - leading to fears among local people that the proposed facility may be used nationally, rather than just locally.
Limerick, Clare, Kerry, Offaly, Laois, Longford, Westmeath, Tipperary, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow were all mentioned as counties in which Irish Pet Crematorium Ltd. had sought waste collection permits. Local farmers said they were extremely worried at the possible consequences of the incinerator, as did locals involved in tourism, equestrian pursuits, etc.
While all legal routes have been exhausted, it was agreed that the anti-incinerator campaign should be stepped up, looking at all available options.
Another public meeting will take place on Monday 21 July in the community centre at 8pm. Anyone who cannot attend can send email his or her views to the committee at ballyroganhse@eircom.net
Councillors Nicky Kelly, Pat Doran, Tommy Cullen and Junior Minister Dick Roche also attended the meeting in the sports centre.
AN BORD Pleanála should be asked to re-examine the planning application submitted for the controversial pet crematorium at Redcross, in light of recent advertisements which suggest that the facility may intend taking in animals from across the country.
Deputy Billy Timmins made the call during a lengthy and heated debate on the issue at Monday's meeting of Wicklow Co. Council, when he said that newspaper notices placed by the crematorium owners, and seeking waste collection permits in other counties, was a source of concern.
Cllr. Nicky Kelly questioned the validity of the planning permission granted by Wicklow Co. Council for the facility, in light of the advertisements, and said that all along the people of the area had believed that the facility would be a local one, to cater for local needs.
'When the proposal first came before us it was portrayed as local and we were not given any idea how extensive the catchment area would be,' Cllr Kelly said. 'It now seems that it is set to become the national incinerator catering for 14 or 15 counties,' he added.
o Frank Corcoran (right) and local committee member Jimmy Doyle at the public meeting in Redcross
For more information on the incineration menace threatening Ireland, see:
www.noincineration.com Irish portal website for campaigns nationwide
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