Proceedings launched over claims of ‘sewage discharge’ into West Cork park

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed that it has launched legal proceedings against Uisce Éireann following alleged repeated discharges of sewage into a public park in West Cork.

A spokesperson for the EPA confirmed that the agency “appeared in Dublin Metropolitan District Court on the July 28, 2025, for the criminal prosecution of Uisce Éireann, Shannonvale, Clonakilty, Co Cork”.

The spokesperson added: “The case relates to breaches of conditions of its Waste Water Discharge Certificate of Authorisation Register Number A0403-01.

“The prosecution includes an alleged offence relating to the operation of wastewater works located in the village park. Judge Halpin adjourned the case until September 29, 2025.”

Evie Nevin, Labour’s local area representative for Cork South West, praised the Shannonvale community for raising the issue.

“Families raised concerns for years, while the smell of sewage lingered in the community’s only green area,” she told The Echo.

“I’m thrilled I could help by inviting the EPA to see it with their own eyes. Once they did, there was no denying how serious it was.”

Ms Nevin said that timelines were needed on a proposed plan to divert wastewater to Clonakilty’s treatment plant. 

“We are seeing encouraging steps, but we may still be some time away from the end of this saga. The Government needs to step up and ensure that Shannonvale is a top priority in the 2024–2029 investment plan.”

An Uisce Éireann spokesperson told The Echo: “Uisce Éireann is unable to comment further on the case, as the matter is still live before the courts.”

The park in Shannonvale made headlines last year when locals held a renaming ceremony for their park, which has been closed off for 27 years due to sewage.

They renamed it from Shannonvale Park to Uisce Éireann Park.

Alan Dromey, the chair of the Clonakilty clean-water committee, had told The Echo: “The entire park is shut down, the access to the river has been taken from us, and we don’t have anywhere else in Shannonvale like this.”