County Council Ploughs On Despite High Court Order

Galway County Council has decided to grant another permit to operate a waste transfer station at Poolboy despite the recent order of the High Court quashing their decision to grant same last year.

Chairperson For The Ballinasloe No To Waste Group,  Dr Vincent Parsons voiced  his annoyance at the decision:” The Ballinasloe Says No committee is ready to challenge Galway County Council again. This decision is in direct opposition to the High Court Order of January 2022 which stated that the previous permit granted on 15th April 2021 be quashed. The High Court Order points to adverse impacts to protected European sites.”

“GCC has granted another Permit within weeks of the High Court Order.  The anger of the people of Ballinasloe and concerned groups is unfathomable. Galway County Council have shown blatant disregard for their concerns. The Ecology and Hydrology assessments have highlighted considerable risk to the Rivers Suck and River Shannon – which is the source of drinking water to tens of thousands of people in the locality.  Hydrological links were identified connecting this site to the River Suck and Callows SPA. There is significant risk to the environment, wildlife, farm animals and people. However, despite all this, Galway County Council appear determined to steamroll this though,” he added.

“ Access for these waste trucks is through our town, passing our Schools and Portiuncula hospital. It is in close proximity to numerous family homes. Noxious gases, dust, insects, and vermin would certainly cause health hazards. Leachate will contaminate the drinking water. We also have strong concerns over air pollution by these diesel trucks, “ he continued.
They have contacted our legal advisors who are assessing  options and the next course of action. They are very grateful to the ongoing support of the people of Ballinasloe and surrounding areas and appreciate the help they are receiving from concerned groups.

PRO & Co-founder Ballinasloe Says No, Senator Aisling Dolan stated: “The Local Authority has decided to adjudicate and grant a new permit without a new application process or further information requested or supplied by the applicant. Thousands of families in Ballinasloe made submissions and attended public meetings making it clear that this is an inappropriate location for a waste transfer station. As a town, we have successfully challenged Waste management decisions by Galway County Council on 3 separate occasions in 1999, 2018 and 2021.”

“We are a local community group fighting for the health and safety of families in this area and to ensure the protection of our environment. Ballinasloe is now going to be a stop on the new Galway to Dublin Cycleway project through this same area of the Grand Canal, River Suck Callows and unique boglands full of biodiversity in Poolboy, a treasure for generations to come” notes the Senator.

Galway County Councillor Dr Evelyn Parsons also commented on the matter: “This is a devastating decision by Council and goes against the principles in the Local Area Plan and Galway County Development Plan in terms of health, safety and protecting our unique landscape and environment.”

“As a committee we have worked together to highlight the potential impacts of this development and we call on the Executive of Galway County Council to explain this decision. There are multiple tourism and sustainable environmentally sensitive projects starting here for the benefit of the community and that is the direction Ballinasloe wants to develop,” she concluded.