13 November 1997 Edition
Pollution case adjourned
The prosecution of Procter and Gamble by the Environmental Protection Agency on charges of polluting the water supply in Nenagh, Co Tipperary has been adjourned until 6 February 1998 following doubts about the validity of appointments of District Court clerks. This follows a ruling of the High Court that such appointments should be made personally by the Minster for Justice.
In August1996 An Phoblacht reported that residents of the Tipperary town had been unable to drink water from the mains for over two weeks, causing massive disruption to the town and forcing the Urban District Council to make alternative provision for the supply of drinking water. A subsequent report by the EPA, while finding a case against Procter and Gamble, strongly recommended that Shannon Development, who own the industrial estate where Procter and Gamble is located, also be prosecuted by the relevant local authority.
The Urban District Council and North Tipperary County Council both told An Phoblacht that the other authority would be responsible for any such prosecution. However Nenagh Town Clerk Tony McCormack told An Phoblacht this week that the UDC was still considering a civil prosecution against Procter and Gamble to recover damages for the cost of the alternative water supply.
In August1996 An Phoblacht reported that residents of the Tipperary town had been unable to drink water from the mains for over two weeks, causing massive disruption to the town and forcing the Urban District Council to make alternative provision for the supply of drinking water. A subsequent report by the EPA, while finding a case against Procter and Gamble, strongly recommended that Shannon Development, who own the industrial estate where Procter and Gamble is located, also be prosecuted by the relevant local authority.
The Urban District Council and North Tipperary County Council both told An Phoblacht that the other authority would be responsible for any such prosecution. However Nenagh Town Clerk Tony McCormack told An Phoblacht this week that the UDC was still considering a civil prosecution against Procter and Gamble to recover damages for the cost of the alternative water supply.