EPA prosecutes Cork County Council – Ballyguyroe Landfill (W0002-02)

Hearing Date: October 21, 2022

On 21st October 2022, at Fermoy District Court, the Environmental Protection Agency prosecuted Cork County Council – Ballyguyroe Landfill (W0002-02) for breaching conditions of their Waste Licence. 

 

The Council pleaded guilty to:

 

  • Failure to comply with Condition 3.10.3, on or about the 21st of January 2021, in that they failed to ensure that leachate levels in the waste did not exceed a level of 1.0m over the base of Cell 7.

 

  • Failure to comply with Condition 3.10.3, on or about the 3rd of June 2021, in that they failed to ensure that leachate levels in the waste did not exceed a level of 1.0m over the base of Cells 1-7.

 

  • Failure to comply with Condition 3.10.3, on or about the 17th of June 2021, in that they failed to ensure that leachate levels in the waste did not exceed a level of 1.0m over the base of Cells 1, 6 & 7.

 

  • Failure to comply with Condition 3.10.3, on or about the 28th of July 2021, in that they failed to ensure that leachate levels in the waste did not exceed a level of 1.0m over the base of Cells 5, 6 & 7.

 

  • Failure to comply with Condition 6.5.1, on or about the 19th of January 2021, in that contaminated surface water was discharged into the River Farahy catchment.

 

  • Failure to comply with Condition 6.1, on or about the 21st of May 2021, in that emissions from well ID GS1 exceeded the emission limit value for methane as set out in Schedule C.1: Emission Limits of the said licence.

 

  • Failure to comply with Condition 6.1, on or about the 6th of August 2021, in that emissions from well ID GS1 exceeded the emission limit value for carbon dioxide as set out in Schedule C.1: Emission Limits of the said licence.

 

  • Failure to comply Condition 6.1, on or about the 10th of August 2021, in that emissions from well ID GS5 exceeded the emission limit value for methane as set out in Schedule C.1: Emission Limits of the said licence.

 

  • Failure to comply with Condition 2.1.1, on or about the 4th of May 2021, in that they failed to ensure that a suitably qualified and experienced facility manager designated as the person in charge, or a suitably qualified deputy, was present at all times during the operation of the facility.

 

 

Judge Carroll, having heard the evidence convicted Cork County Council on four charges and took the remaining charges into account.  The fines imposed totalled €9,750.  Costs were agreed in the sum of €20,340.55.