Quinn cement fined for emissions breach

Local cement manufacturing company Quinn Cement Limited has been fined €2000 plus costs after the company pleaded guilty to failing to control dust emissions from its plant in Ballyconnell.

Reports of at least three houses and cars in the nearby area being coated in a film of cement dust were made to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after a filter bag failed at the plant at Scotchtown, Ballyconnell, on dates between September 5-8, 2014.

An inspector from the EPA subsequently visited the area and took statements from complainants, including an asthmatic who had raised fears in relation to the health impact the dust might have. 

Before Judge Denis McLoughlin at Cavan District Court today (May 21), the court heard how the plant was shut down, while the fault was found and rectified.

A number of fail-safes have since been employed at the Quinn Cement plant in Ballyconnell safeguarding against such an occurrence arising again.

Judge McLoughlin convicted and fined Quinn Cement Limited €2000 on one count of failure to control dust associated with activity, which resulted in an impairment of or an interference to amenities or the environment beyond the installation boundary, subject to licence.

A second count was struck out on the agreement that the company also pay costs incurred by the EPA in carrying out its investigation of €5569.79.

Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

See next week's newspaper for full report