IFI secures River Liffey pollution prosecution against Uisce Éireann

Inland Fisheries Ireland has secured a prosecution against Uisce Éireann for pollution of the River Liffey at a water treatment plant in Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare.

At a recent Naas District Court sitting, Judge Desmond Zaidan convicted Uisce Éireann of water pollution offences in the Liffey, which dated to June 2022.

Uisce Éireann pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined €5,000, and ordered to pay an additional €5,500 in costs and expenses.

Commenting on the case Brian Beckett, Eastern River Basin District Director at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said: “Point-source pollution events such as this are entirely avoidable through good on-site management, regular visual checks, and monitoring of discharge points.

“Effluent discharges can significantly impact fish populations and other aquatic life of receiving waters. River Liffey fish populations, comprising several fish species, are under significant ecological pressure.

“Despite this pressure, the River Liffey remains one of only a handful of European capital cities through which a self-sustaining population of Atlantic salmon migrate.

“Fines imposed in this case will be invested in water quality and habitat improvements in the River Liffey catchment.

“IFI is currently working on a number of initiatives in the River Liffey catchment with regulatory and non-regulatory stakeholders with a view to maximising the sustainability of all fish (including Atlantic salmon) and their habitat.”

The conviction was secured against Uisce Éireann on July 3rd, 2023 under Section 171 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, for allowing deleterious matter to enter the River Liffey main channel upstream of Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare.

Members of the public are encouraged to report instances of water pollution, illegal fishing or fish kills to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential number, 0818 34 74 24.