PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: September 26, 2003  

GEOLOGIST PUTS SERIOUS QUESTION MARK OVER SUITABILITY OF INCINERATOR SITE

SUNBEAM FIRE HIGHLIGHTS DANGER FOR RINGASKIDDY SITE

The black clouds of smoke that billowed past Neptune Stadium, Cork, yesterday as CHASE Chairperson, Mary O’Leary made her deposition concerning the proposed hazardous waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, served as a stark reminder to community groups of the health and environmental matters that were not allowed to be discussed or considered by the hearing.

The fire, which ravaged the Sunbeam Industrial Estate, highlights the speed at which an accident can occur and spread, particularly when highly flammable toxic materials are on site.  The possibility of a fire at the proposed incinerator site at Ringaskiddy is of extreme concern because

·         The site is at the end of a cul de sac with no alternative exit or entrance route

·         There are no emergency evacuation plans for the nearby town of Ringaskiddy

·         The facility will be storing highly toxic and flammable materials such as asbestos, solvents, etc, all of which are lethal when burnt and airborne

Earlier in the day, Monkstown based Geologist Dr Neville put a serious question mark on the suitability of the site at all.  Limestone rock base, he informed the hearing, which is prevalent through out Cork typically has large cavities, which may not support a project of the proposed size.  He said a number of exploratory boreholes should have been drilled to determine suitability or otherwise of the site, and there is no evidence to date that this has been undertaken.

CHASE Chairperson, Mary O’Leary, in her deposition highlighted that the proposal clearly conflicts with both the County Development Plan (2003-2009) and the Cork Area Strategic Plan (2000-2020).  She stressed that -

·         The County Development Plan was approved by the County Council as recently as January 2003 and therefore could hardly be more up to date

·         The Cork Area Strategic Plan focuses on protecting the amenity value of Cork Harbour.  It also suggests that developable land at Ringaskiddy is in short supply and should be reserved for port related industry. 

Week 1 of the hearing concludes at Neptune Stadium today.

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