November 26th, 2004

Despite a massive public outcry, asbestos firm Irish Environmental Processes, are planning to continue with their plans for an asbestos waste treatment plant in Killala. The company has already attended discussions with Mayo County Council. It is thought that Irish Environmental Processes will be making a full planning application in the early part of 2005.

Since the plans for the asbestos waste plans were announced, Killala has already been host to two public meetings, which were also attended by public representatives from Mayo and Sligo. A working group has been formed with a view to taking the lead on the opposition campaign against Irish Environmental Processes.

Jarlath Munnelly, a Killala Councilor, stated that this is the first time in a couple of centuries that the local community has been so united in opposition to something. He went on to state the planned site has been neglected for many years, and is simply an industrial waste site. Munnelly stated: "Now only dirty industries are interested in locating there."

Councillor Munnelly has requested that the EPA and the Health & Safety Authority investigate the site. He has also questioned safety and contamination issues relating to the nearby water treatment facility, which is used to provide water to North East Mayo.