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The Irish Times reports on a significant fine levied against North Cork Co-operative Creamery for environmental pollution. The company pleaded guilty to discharging effluent into a tributary of the River Blackwater, a serious offense that impacts local waterways. While no fish were killed in this specific incident, the court heard of the company's history of environmental breaches, including multiple convictions for violating its EPA license.

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the company pleaded guilty to two offences arising from an illegal discharge of effluent into a tributary of the river Blackwater last summer.

The company's investment of €1 million in remedial works at its wastewater treatment plant has not prevented further issues, as the Environmental Protection Agency has suspended its license to discharge into the River Allow. This highlights a persistent problem with the co-op's environmental management. The judge's decision not to apply the Probation of Offenders Act underscores the seriousness of the repeated offenses.

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grey liquid discharge coming from a pipe.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with industrial operations, particularly in a country like Ireland where the protection of natural resources, including its rivers and fisheries, is a matter of national importance. The Inland Fisheries Ireland's role in monitoring and prosecuting such cases is crucial for maintaining the health of these ecosystems.

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the riverbed being covered or coated with sewerage fungus and he said that the river became “progressively cloudier” nearer the discharge pipe.