An Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) officer discovered serious pollution escaping into a drain from Island Salad’s premises at Moytown Road, Agahagallon on 30 March 2005. This drain was followed downstream to Portmore Lough which is an RSPB Nature Reserve. Samples were taken for analysis and these confirmed that the discharge from the company’s premises was very polluting.
Island Salads staff were spoken to by EHS and informed of the need to urgently stop this pollution but on a number of follow-up visits EHS staff found that the pollution was continuing as before.
Island Salads pleaded guilty in court and explained in mitigation that they now employ consultants to address the pollution from their Moytown Road premises.
Fines totaling £3,000 plus court costs of £43 plus analysis costs of £118.46 were imposed.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Island Salads were charged on two counts under The Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, namely:
- Under Article 7, of discharging or depositing poisonous, noxious or polluting matter so that it entered a waterway;
- Under Article 9, of discharging trade effluent to a waterway without the consent of the Department of Environment.
2. A fine of £1,500 was imposed on each of the above 2 counts.
