Boyne Valley residents and the Save the Boyne campaign group have intensified their campaign to prevent Dawn Meats from dumping their commercial waste water into the river.
The move comes after Dawn Meats, who have submitted plans to build a waste water pipeline to dump 400,000 litres of effluent per day into the Boyne at Beauparc near Ardmulchan, recently submitted further information requested by the council planning authority.
Save the Boyne and local residents are now studying this information and are preparing for a new round of submissions.
The Boyne River and its environs are a protected ecosystem under EU and national law. It is a well-loved amenity, providing walks and opportunities for fishing, canoeing and swimming.
Jeannine Luetzkendorf, a spokesperson for the group, pointed out that the Boyne features prominently in Irish mythology and as such is an important part of our cultural heritage.
“Brú na Bóinne, the Newgrange cairn complex beside the river, is one of our foremost tourist attractions” she said.
“According to the Meath County Council website, this is, “the most historic waterway in Ireland. The rich legend of the Boyne with Fionn MacCumhall and the Salmon of Knowledge is still told today. The waterways are rich in aquatic life and the salmon and trout are recognised as among the finest in Ireland.”
Tommy Martin, a local resident in Yellow Furze who founded the Save the Boyne campaign, is unequivocal: “The Boyne is not for profit” he said.
“This is our river. It does not belong to profits or industry, it belongs to us, our children and the people of Ireland.”
“You are invited to show your objection by joining us on March 20th in caring for the Boyne. There is a river clean up on the Ramparts, Navan from 10am-4pm.
“If you are unable to attend please feel free to clean anywhere along the Boyne. For what we do for the water, we do for ourselves.”
Many local residents and concerned individuals and organisations have come together to protect the river and prevent further pollution to this delicate ecosystem and around 200 objections were lodged with the council last year to the proposed plans.
The group is also planning further actions to raise awareness of this threat to the river system.
Objections to the planning process can be lodged in writing to Meath County Council (quoting application: 21424) until the 7th of April.
Save the Boyne are putting out a call to concerned members of the public to get involved in the campaign to protect the river. Campaign member Elaine Ní Chiardha urges, “If we come together, inform ourselves and raise public awareness, we can ensure that our river is protected for future generations.”
Website: www.SavetheBoyne.org
Email: rise@SavetheBoyne.org
Facebook: Save the Boyne
Twitter.com/SavetheBoyne
Instagram.com/save_the__Boyne
#SavetheBoyne
