Ireland West Cork Distillers pleads guilty to effluent discharge in Skibbereen
On 21 July 2021, an accidental discharge of foam from fermentation tanks at West Cork Distillers on Marsh Road, Skibbereen, overran a one metre bund and entered the Ilen River, killing approximately 2,000 salmon, trout and flat fish over a 1km stretch. John O'Connell is listed as a suspect in the case. The company pleaded guilty to three effluent discharge charges at Skibbereen District Court on 12 April 2022, and summons against all of its directors was withdrawn. Judge James McNulty adjourned the case until 26 April and proposed that the company pay 26 drafts of €1,000 each to Tidy Towns organisations in West Cork.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court12 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Approximately 2,000 salmon, trout and flat fish were found dead over a 1km stretch of the Ilen River.
- An accidental discharge of foam from fermentation tanks overran a one metre bund and entered the river.
- A water sample near the outflow showed a BOD level of 1,536 milligrams per litre, and temperatures were 27.5C with low river flows on the day.
- Where
- The company is located at Marsh Road, Skibbereen, County Cork.
- Dead fish were found only downstream of the company's plant, not upstream.
- When
- The incident occurred on 21 July 2021.
- Charges
- West Cork Distillers pleaded guilty to three charges relating to effluent discharge.
- In court
- The case was heard at Skibbereen District Court before Judge James McNulty.
- The judge adjourned the case until 26 April and proposed 26 drafts of €1,000 each to Tidy Towns organisations in West Cork.
- Summons against all of the company's directors was withdrawn following the guilty plea.
- Other details
- The company employs 140 people, has an annual turnover of €54m, and produces approximately 4 million litres of alcohol annually.
- The company has spent €126,000 on remedial works.
- The company denied it was responsible for the fish kill.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatApproximately 2,000 fish were killed in the incident (rte.ie)
- whatSalmon, trout and flat fish were found dead over a 1km stretch of the Ilen River (rte.ie)
- whatA water sample near the outflow showed a BOD level of 1,536 milligrams per litre (rte.ie)
- whatOn the day of the incident, temperatures were 27.5C and river flows were low (rte.ie)
- whatAn accidental discharge of foam from fermentation tanks overran the one metre bund and into the river (rte.ie)
- whereDead fish were found only downstream of the company's plant, not upstream (rte.ie)
- whereThe company is located at Marsh Road, Skibbereen (rte.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 21 July (rte.ie)
- chargeWest Cork Distillers pleaded guilty to three charges relating to effluent discharge (rte.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Skibbereen District Court (rte.ie)
- courtJudge James McNulty adjourned the case until 26 April (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge suggested 26 drafts of €1,000 each to Tidy Towns organisations in West Cork (rte.ie)
- courtSummons against all of the company's directors was withdrawn following the guilty plea (rte.ie)
- otherThe company employs 140 people and has an annual turnover of €54m (rte.ie)
- otherThe company has spent €126,000 on remedial works (rte.ie)
- otherThe distillery produces approximately 4 million litres of alcohol annually (rte.ie)
- otherThe company denied it was responsible for the fish kill (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Apr2022West Cork Distillers plead guilty to effluent discharge
Company pleaded guilty to three charges but denied responsibility for the fish kill; judge adjourned case for a fortnight and proposed remedial payments to local Tidy Towns organisations. Summons against all company directors was withdrawn following the guilty plea.
accused, John O'Connell, male, named, irish (judged from name)John O'Connell