Poolbeg incident will worry Mungret residents

Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada has said concerns in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary around the safety of the proposed incinerator at the Irish Cement plant in Mungret will not have been helped by today’s incident in Dublin.

Speaking after 11 people were hospitalised following an “uncontrolled release” at an incinerator in Poolbeg, Ms Ní Riada said it was a stark reminder that such plants are not foolproof.

“I would firstly like to send my best wishes to those caught up in the ‘uncontrolled release’ in Poolbeg this morning,” she said.

“Thankfully most of those hospitalised following the incident have been released but this will not do anything for the confidence of people living within the 30 kilometre emission range of the incinerator in Mungret which is now seeking permission to burn toxic materials.

“This plant in Poolbeg was state of the art. It had only recently opened and had only been burning material for less than a week. It goes to show that no safety protocols are 100% reliable and such assurances from companies aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.

“This incident will cause great concern to people from Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, with parts of all three counties falling within the incinerator’s emission zone. At the very least I hope this alarming display of the constant danger these incinerators pose will bolster the community lead campaign against proposals for the Mungret plant.”