Oil spill at Lorrha treatment plant

Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh has praised the “decisive intervention” of emergency teams following a serious oil discharge incident at the Lorrha Wastewater Treatment Plant over the weekend of April 11-12.

The incident, which saw an estimated 30,000 litres of oil-contaminated wastewater removed for specialist treatment, posed a significant threat to the nearby River Shannon and Lough Derg - both EU-designated Special Areas of Conservation.

“This was a potentially devastating incident,” Cllr Morgan Walsh stated. “Oil entering a wastewater system is a major threat to both plant operations and the wider environment. Had this discharge not been identified and contained quickly, the impact on the river and downstream ecosystems could have been severe.”

According to Uisce Éireann, the oil was intercepted at an early stage and contained within the system, preventing it from reaching the lake or river. A multi-agency investigation involving An Garda Síochána, the EPA, and Inland Fisheries Ireland is now underway to identify the origin of the discharge. Cllr Morgan Walsh added: “I want to sincerely thank everyone involved for their professionalism. Their swift response averted a major environmental event for North Tipperary. I strongly urge anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Tipperary County Council or An Garda Síochána. Public cooperation is essential to ensure accountability and prevent this from happening again.”