Donegal County Council targets coal imports from Northern Ireland after complaints

Smoky coal was found in two vehicles which were stopped at a checkpoint

placeholder image — Smoky coal was found in two vehicles which were stopped at a checkpoint

Donegal County Council has been carrying out checkpoints to inspect coal deliveries in Inishowen after complaints about the impact of smoke.

The move comes after complaints to the council about smoke impacting Buncrana residents in recent weeks.

Waste regulation officer Matthew Byrne told the January meeting of the Inishowen Municipal District that the council had carried out follow-up inspections including roadside checkpoints after reports that coal smoke was “sharper on the throat”.

He said the council had carried out the roadside checkpoints to see “what coal was moving on the roads”.

There was particular interest in coal coming in from Northern Ireland, he said, adding that samples taken have been sent off for analysis.

Buncrana councillor Nicholas Crossan said he had raised the issue after noticing a peculiar smell which has caused him discomfort after burning a particular type of fuel. The issue had been raised with him by constituents as well, he said, speaking after the meeting.

New solid fuel regulations for Ireland came into effect on October 31 which introduced a smoky coal ban across the country.

The regulations restrict the retail, online and commercial sale of smoky fuels, including smoky coal, turf and wet wood.

Under the new regulations coal products and manufactured solid fuels must have a smoke emission rate of less than 10 grams per hour – the same as was previously in force in low smoke zones.

Burning solid fuels releases a pollutant called fine particulate matter (PM2.5) which can trigger asthma attacks and cause a range of other health effects.