Roadstone shows ‘scant disregard’ for Moneen residents – Kilcoyne

Ciara Galvin

FOLLOWING a fire at its tar plant in Moneen, Castlebar last April, Roadstone Limited have shown ‘scant disregard’ for residents in the area.
That is according to Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne who has demanded a detailed report from the construction and building materials supplier following a fire on April 19 last that caused ‘major damage’ to the plant.
The councillor made the demand at last month’s Castlebar Municipal District meeting and is still waiting to be furnished with a report. The local representative made the demand following concerns from Moneen residents as to what chemicals were contained in the smoke from the fire.
“Obviously Roadstone would be the people who would know what product was on fire and what was the chemical composition of that product. Gardaí went around to the houses and told them to close their windows and doors so that the smoke wouldn’t get in. You wouldn’t do that if it was wood that was burning,” said the councillor.

‘Disappointed’
Cllr Kilcoyne said he was ‘disappointed’ that Roadstone had not compiled a report.
“They certainly have an obligation to allay the fears of the neighbours and residents in that area. They’re entitled to know what product was involved in the fire and the implications for their health. I am disappointed … I suppose it shows scant disregard for their neighbours,” he added.
A report from Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony Shevlin outlined that members of Castlebar and Westport brigades, four units in all, were called to the scene at 6.30pm after the alarm was raised on April 19. There were no injuries as a result of the fire.
ESB personnel arrived to disconnect the electricity supply from the building which was engulfed in flames. The fire was attacked using an aerial appliance to apply foam from a high area. A large diesel fuel tank on the site was cooled using a hose and the diesel supply was shut down.