Consultants to examine whether remediation work needed at old Carrick-on-Suir dump site

Tipperary County Council has appointed consultants to investigate whether further remediation works are required at Carrick-on-Suir’s old town dump to ensure it doesn’t pose a pollution threat.

The appointment of the consultants to examine the former landfill site at Carrickbeg was raised by Cllr Kieran Bourke at Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District’s monthly meeting.

He asked council management why this step was being taken as a lot of public money was spent on carrying out substantial remediation works on the site a number of years ago.

Michael Moroney of Tipperary County Council explained this project will build on the previous works carried out at the former landfill.

He said Ireland is required under European legislation to remediate all historic landfill sites that were generally old town dumps that existed at a time when these facilities weren't subject to the same stringent environmental controls as they are today. There are about 21 old landfill sites across county Tipperary, some in public ownership and others in private ownership.

“What is being required of local authorities is that they assess these sites, come up with works to remediate and assist in ensuring they are not causing environmental pollution,” he told councillors.

The Senior Executive Officer explained that any remediation works proposed for the former dump will require the submission of a request to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and An Bord Pleanála for a licence to authorise them.