‘Freak circumstances’ caused Tolka pollution

A LOCAL company fined for discharging concentrated detergent that polluted the River Tolka and killed an estimated 5,000 fish last year has blamed a freak set of circumstances for the incident.

Cabra based Alma Hygiene Ltd says the company was

“absolutely devastated

? over the incident and has taken measures costing thousands of euro to prevent a reoccurrence.

Residents in Glasnevin alerted authorities to the pollution in July 2014, after spotting a white, foamy substance in the river and hundreds of fish floating lifelessly on the water.

The fish kill extended from Finglas Road Bridge through Drumcondra and Glasnevin and continued for almost five kilometres downstream.

At a recent sitting of Dublin District Court, Cabra based detergent company, Alma Hygiene Ltd, was convicted of the discharge of deleterious matter and fined

?¬250.

The company was also directed to pay legal costs and expenses to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and Dublin City Council amounting to over

?¬34,000.

Senior Fisheries Environmental Officer with IFI, Noel McGloin, told the court that over 5,000 fish including brown trout and sea trout had been killed over a distance of 4.5 kilometres from a storm water outfall beside Finglas Road Bridge to the tidal zone of the River Tolka near East Wall.

Mr McGloin said discharge was characterised by seriously elevated levels of surfactants. He said he visited Alma Hygiene on Bannow Road and noted where there had been a spillage of detergent on the premises that had subsequently discharged into a storm water sewer that flows to the River Tolka at Finglas Road Bridge.

On instruction, staff from Alma Hygiene immediately completed the clean-up of the discharge and prevented all remaining effluent residues from entering the watercourse.

Mr McGloin confirmed staff were fully cooperative at all times during the investigation.

Legal representatives for Alma Hygiene informed the court that the company had made contact with Dublin City Council following an appeal for information made in the national media by Director of IFI, Brian Beckett.

In a statement made following the conviction Alma Hygiene explained how the incident happened.

“In July 2014 we experienced a freak set of circumstances that led to washing up liquid leaking within the premises,

? the statement read.

“We contained the vast majority of the spill within the premises and had the drains professionally cleaned but unfortunately a small amount of washing up liquid entered the Tolka River through the city’s storm drains.

?

The company said it immediately offered to assist Dublin City Council in restocking the river.

Alma Hygiene has also subsequently spent thousands of euro upgrading its premises in an effort to prevent any further spillages.

“We co-operated fully at all times with both Dublin City Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland,

? a company spokesperson said.

“We are happy to put this matter behind us with the court’s decision in the matter.

“We are a small company with our roots in the local community and several of our staff are anglers who have often fished in the Tolka and in other inland waterways. We were absolutely devastated when this incident occurred.

?

Local councillor, Cathleen Carney Boud (SF), welcomed the action taken by Inland Fisheries and the cooperation of Alma Hygiene.

“There was terrible devastation of the fish stock in the Tolka River, a natural resource much enjoyed by locals and tourists alike,

? she said.

“The action taken by Inland Fisheries sends the message that polluting our environment is not acceptable but there’s also an acceptance that accidents happen and thankfully the company involved has been fully cooperative.

?