Those who caused 'significant' fish kill in Cork city should come forward, urges councillor

A polluter or polluters who had caused the “significant fish kill” in small tributary of the Douglas River should come forward, a Cork City South East Councillor has said.

Peter Horgan of the Labour Party was speaking as investigations continued after the discovery on Thursday of up to 1500 dead fish in the Ballybrack River.

Mr Horgan said that he had spoken with the Inland Fisheries Ireland investigators and it was clear that the burden of proof to pursue convictions remained “stubbornly high”.

“I would appeal to the person or erodes who carelessly caused this water pollution and fish kill to reveal themselves to authorities,” said Mr Horgan. 

“It may not have been maliciously intended but the impact has been devastating for the fish population in Ballybrack.

“That will recover with time, I am told.

“However if the polluters continue to hide in shame, then it is my belief that karma will catch them if the authorities cannot because the burden of proof is so high and chemical spillage has since evaporated.

 “I would also urge members of the public to be mindful of how they dispose of any fluids down public drains and to be watchful if they notice something untoward by public drains. I fully intend to raise the matter with the Council executive and Uisce Éireann also on management of piping into Ballybrack.”