Courts / Limerick / Report

Challenge over license for chicken plant

Summary

In a High Court case, environmental activist Peter Sweetman has challenged the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to grant an Industrial Emissions Licence to Michael Noel O'Connor's chicken‑rearing plant in Rathcahill West, Co. Limerick. Sweetman, represented by solicitor Gabriel Toolan and counsel James Devlin SC, argues that the EPA's decision was flawed, lacking jurisdiction and failing to consider EU Habitats, Waste Water and Environmental Impact Directives. He contends the agency did not properly assess the impact of poultry litter, which is removed every six to eight weeks, washed, and largely spread on land or used as compost at a mushroom facility. Sweetman seeks an order quashing the licence, declarations that the EPA erred in law and contravened EU waste directives, and that the assessment was incomplete and unreliable. Mr O'Connor is a notice party. Permission to proceed was granted ex‑parte by Justice Seamus Noonan, with the case set for a June hearing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Challenge over license for chicken plant. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• February 6th Hearing Or Sentence
• 2019-04-02 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report