Thursday 5 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 29918Environmental pollution (breach of licence) · Co. Cork

Irish Water pleads guilty to river pollution in Co Cork

Irish Water pleaded guilty to eight counts of breaching its licence at Dublin District Court over ammonia and orthophosphate levels discharged from a wastewater treatment plant in Boherbue, Co Cork. The EPA said the Brogeen river, a protected conservation area, had ammonia levels seven times the permitted limit and orthophosphate five times the set limit over the previous four years, affecting the freshwater pearl mussel, which is on the verge of extinction. Judge Halpin suggested a temporary filter be installed and warned Irish Water it was getting a last chance. The case was adjourned to January 31st 2022. Irish Water had previously been fined €4,000 for not having the plant rebuilt on time, with upgrade work now due in 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court27 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Ammonia was discharged at seven times the permitted level and orthophosphate at five times the set limit.
  • The river is home to the freshwater pearl mussel, which is on the verge of extinction.
Where
The Brogeen river in Boherbue, Co Cork, is a protected conservation area.
Investigation
The prosecution was brought by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Charges
Irish Water was charged with eight counts of breaching its licence over ammonia and orthophosphate levels from a wastewater treatment plant in Boherbue.
In court
  • Irish Water pleaded guilty to eight counts at Dublin District Court.
  • Judge Halpin suggested a temporary filter should be installed and warned Irish Water it was getting a last chance.
  • The case was adjourned to January 31st 2022.
Sentence
Irish Water was previously fined €4,000 for not having the plant rebuilt on time.
Other details
Upgrade work was originally due by end of 2014 but was pushed back to 2019, then 2021, and now 2024.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatOrthophosphate was five times the set limit (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe river is home to the freshwater pearl mussel, which is on the verge of extinction (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe Brogeen river is a protected conservation area (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe prosecution was brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe counts related to ammonia and orthophosphate levels from a wastewater treatment plant in Boherbue (irishtimes.com)
  • courtIrish Water pleaded guilty to eight counts at Dublin District Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Halpin suggested a temporary filter should be installed and warned Irish Water it was getting a last chance (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to January 31st (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceIrish Water was previously fined €4,000 for not having the plant rebuilt on time (irishtimes.com)
  • otherUpgrade work was originally due by end of 2014 but was pushed back to 2019, then 2021, and now 2024 (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Sep2021
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Irish Water pleads guilty to polluting habitat of endangered mussel in Co Cork

    Irish Water admitted to eight counts; Judge Halpin suggested a temporary filter be installed and warned it was a last chance; case adjourned to 31 January 2022.