'How Toxic is Mobuoy?' public meeting held in Derry

A public meeting has taken place to discuss the notorious Mobuoy dump on the outskirts of Derry City.

Organised by The Gathering, 'How Toxic is Mobuoy?' was held in Hollywell Trust on Bishop Street on Wednesday, August 27.

The speakers were: Dean Blackwood, chairperson and director of Faughan Anglers Association; Mary McGuiggan, The Gathering; James Orr, director of Friends of the Earth; and Michael Avila, the Committee on the Administration of Justice.

Speaking to The Derry News, Dean Blackwood said the central message of the night was "alert, not just anglers but the public, to the fact that there is a public consultation process out now in relation to the remediation strategy [around Mobuoy]".

He added: "That is due to close on October 2, so we would just encourage as many members of the public to read that and respond if they feel they need to, if they feel there are any issues. Maybe come to us as part of the Faughan Anglers or The Gathering for clarification.

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"But also the fact that this unmitigated disaster which is Mubuoy has been going on now for at least 15 years and we had a public inquiry called for 11 or 12 years ago and it still hasn't happened.

"So the other message we want to reiterate is the importance of a public inquiry into the extent of illegal waste disposal across not just the North but probably the cross-border issue as well because we know waste has been crossing the border both ways," said Mr Blackwood.

There will be a full report on 'How Toxic is Mobuoy?' in The Derry News.