Tolka will bounce back

EXPERTS say the River Tolka will bounce back

“sooner rather than later

? despite the deaths of thousands of fish killed by a mystery pollutant last week.

Local residents in Glasnevin reported a white, detergent-like foamy substance in the river on Monday, July 21, and hundreds of fish floating lifelessly on the water.

Initial investigations by Inland Fisheries Ireland indicated the fish kill extended from Finglas Road Bridge through Drumcondra and Glasnevin and continued for up to five kilometres downstream.

Dublin City Council successfully placed a boom wall barrier across the River Tolka at Griffith Park to prevent the foam spreading downstream.

Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland, Brian Beckett of Inland Fisheries Ireland confirmed that a discharge of contaminating material caused a significant and extensive fish kill of

“several thousand fish.

?

“People are going to be devastated,

? he said.

“There’s a real buy-in in the sense of ownership in all the communities who live along the river. It’s a real quality of life issue.

“The Tolka is a hugely productive river. There’s a real social element to it as well with a lot of community groups involved in terms of fishing and other positive activities. It’s hugely popular locally.

?

Beckett said the incident had come to light following a tip-off to the Inland Fisheries Ireland 24-hour emergency hotline and team was immediately sent to the area.

“Initial investigations took place in Glasnevin, where the complaint had come from,

? he continued.

“We immediately saw foam on the surface of the water and our team followed upstream taking samples along the way.

“It can be difficult to pinpoint the source exactly if the source is already gone. In effect, a plug of contaminating material can enter a river like that and nobody can know anything about it until we see fish going belly-up.

?

Last week’s incident is not the first time Tolka fish have been killed by a mystery pollutant. Last year an estimated 200 fish died suddenly over the space of about 90 minutes along a small stretch of the river between Mulhuddart and Castlecurragh on August 6.

However, Beckett believes the river won’t suffer long term as a result of the latest fish kill.

“Historically the Tolka has been subject to intense pressure and certainly the patterns have been improving over the years but when it does get hit like this, it will bounce back,

? he said.

“It’s a hugely productive system and one that will be back up and fighting sooner rather than later.

?

Inland Fisheries Ireland and Dublin City Council continued to monitor the River Tolka during the week and said a definite line of inquiry was being followed in relation to the source of the pollution.

The boom wall barrier erected across the river at Griffith Park was removed on Wednesday, as it was no longer required.

Local Sinn Féin Councillor, Cathleen Carney Boud, said she had been contacted by a number of concerned residents and local groups following the fish kill, including local fishing groups.

“The contamination of the Tolka River is not only a big blow to the local community and eco system but also to the fishing clubs who use their own resources to increase its now diminished fish stock,

? she said.

“I was in contact with Inland Fisheries Ireland today and am aware that they are following lines of enquiry. I hope that the findings of this investigation will be published soon and that whoever is responsible will be held fully to account. I will follow up with this in the coming weeks.

“The environmental costs of this incident are untold and there are huge risks to any other wildlife that may rely on the river.

“Tolka River is also a great amenity and wonderful tourist attraction and it is disgraceful to see such blatant disrespect for the area.

“I would truly hope that an incident such as this one would not happen again.

?

Dublin North Inner City councillor, Ciarán Cuffe (GP), said he had reported the incident to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“I urge the agency to take action to investigate and prosecute those responsible,

? he said.

“I’m also calling on the EPA to take whatever action can be done to limit the impact of this incident on the river body.

“Earlier this year we were celebrating the return of spawning salmon to the river after a 100 year absence. It would be shameful if this incident destroys the painstaking work that has been undertaken to clean up the river.

“I am urging the EPA to work swiftly with Dublin City Council and the Gardaí to tackle this incident, prosecute those responsible, and ensure it does not happen again.

?

Cllr Noel Rock (FG) said he had been inundated with phone calls from deeply unhappy residents who witnessed the pollution from Mobhi Road and right along Griffith Park.

“Council officials have taken samples and are working to identify the pollutant,

? he said.

“It is believed that the pollution flowed into the River via a pipe, though it is not certain exactly where it came from at this point in time – though its identification is a priority.

?