Oil spill in Cornamona river

Oil spill in Cornamona river


Anton McNulty

THE Western Regional Fisheries Board are investigating a serious oil spill in the Dooghta River in Cornamona last week, which appeared to have occurred when thieves attempted to steal oil from a school tank.
Investigations have revealed that the pipeline from an oil tank was severed and an unidentified amount of green diesel released, in what seemed an attempt to steal oil from one of the local schools.
Unfortunately the diesel escaped into a drain which ultimately enters the Dooghta River in Cornamona village. While the amount of oil currently in the river is still relatively small, there remains a significant amount of oil in the drain which poses a substantial threat to the river.
It is feared that if the amount of oil entering the river rises it could damage the salmon which are currently spawning in the river. The Western Fisheries Board have called for a remedial action plan to be put in place urgently to address the oil spill and remove the threat to the important salmon river.
Staff of the Board will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days and are seeking the assistance of the local authorities in Galway to try and prevent the situation deteriorating further.