Louth council say ‘no evidence’ of slurry spreading after Termonfeckin odour complaints

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Louth County Council confirmed it investigated an alleged slurry incident in Termonfeckin, after odour complaints from local residents.

Cllr Michelle Hall has raised concerns about slurry being spread “on very wet days,” telling this month’s meeting of Louth County Council that residents in Termonfeckin reported a strong smell in the village during a recent incident.

Director of Services David Hanratty confirmed that the council had received reports from the area and that an Environmental Officer had visited the scene to speak with the landowner involved.

However, he said the incident did not involve slurry spreading.

According to Mr Hanratty, the officer found that the issue related instead to “a distribution of floodwater from a farmyard, as opposed to spreading slurry,” and that equipment had been used to move the water.

“We do have enforcement powers, and powers to report to the Department of Agriculture, in a process called cross compliance, which can affect the funding farmers get from the department,” he told councillors.

Cllr Hall asked whether the Environmental Officer had carried out any testing at the site.

“The whole of the village could smell the slurry, so is it that the village was wrong and the farmer is right?” she asked.

Mr Hanratty said the officer found no evidence of slurry being spread and reiterated that cross‑compliance reporting remains an “ongoing tool” available to the council where necessary.