Pharmaceutical company fined £1,000 for unauthorised operation of three incinerators

A Co Down company was today found guilty at Newry Magistrates’ Court of eight charges of operating three incinerators without the necessary permits.

Norbrook Laboratories Limited was fined £1,000 plus £205 court costs and witness costs of £2,963.32 for one charge and given a conditional discharge for the other seven charges. The Company was granted bail on appeal in the sum of £500.

The Company was fined for operating three incinerators at its Station Works, Armagh Road and Carnbane Industrial Estate sites in Newry without the necessary permits, on eight separate occasions.

The Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, NIEA (formerly the Environment and Heritage Service), became aware of the case following anonymous complaints in 2004.

Under the Pollution Prevention and Control legislation, operators of prescribed installations, including incinerators, are required to obtain a permit which lists the conditions and limitations under which the plant has to be operated.

Norbrook Laboratories Limited refused to apply for permits despite several approaches from the Inspectorate contending the incinerators in question were not covered by the Pollution Prevention and Control legislation.

Notes to Editors:

1. The charges of operating three incinerators without the necessary permits were brought under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.
2. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0014 or out-of-office hours call the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.