Water pollution rap for Rathmullan woman

A Rathmullan woman has appeared in court on water pollution charges.

Donegal County Council brought the charges against Martina Brogan, of The Haw, Ray, Rathmullan.

The case was before Letterkenny District Court this week.

Dr Joe Ferry, a senior executive scientist with Donegal County Council, said the case has been ongoing for a number of years and relates to the housing of horses in a stable and yard owned by Ms Brogan.

Dr Ferry told the court that the property was inspected on March 3, 2020. During the inspection, there was evidence of farmyard effluent going into a road-side drain which was polluting in nature.

Dr Ferry said that horses were housed in a stable and that was giving rise to the effluent.

In 2013, the case first came to the attention of the local authority. Dr Ferry said that there had been ‘very small changes’ over the years, but essentially the operation of the stables remained how it was.

“We had hoped that the operator would install some form of effluent collection and holding tank, but that didn’t happen,” Dr Ferry said.

He told Mr Kevin McElhinney, solicitor for Donegal County Council, that further inspections had taken place in October 2022 and August 2023 and that Ms Brogan is no longer housing horses in the stables.

Instead, Ms Brogan is rearing dairy calves. The condition of the yard ‘is not quite as bad’, Dr Ferry said. adding that there was no evidence that the road was contaminated as it had been before.

He said there had previously been a number of complaints from private residents who use the road.

Ms Brogan’s solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said that the problem stopped once the hoses went.

“We have had difficulties over the years,” Mr Gallagher said. “Ms Brogan has got herself out of that business and has a new venture that is more amenable to the system and the area. It is more fit for purpose.”

Mr Gallagher asked the court to consider Ms Brogan’s early plea.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham adjourned sentencing until October 3.