A mop-up operation following the spillage of approximately 200 gallons of diesel into the River Nenagh is taking place while investigations into the cause of the pollution get underway.
A tap on a diesel tank in the town's new soccer grounds appears to have been opened, possibly by vandals, resulting in the fuel seeping into a local drain and then flowing into the river, renowned for its brown trout.
The river is a tributary of the Shannon's largest lake, Lough Derg, where toxic algal blooms have prompted North Tipperary County Council to erect warning signs about the risks posed to swimmers over the last four summers.
A Garda spokesman confirmed that they had received a report on the oil spillage. He said the investigation was being conducted by the council and the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, which were the policing authorities for pollution cases.
The council's acting environment director, Mr Frank O'Halloran, said they mobilised their Emergency Response Unit after being notified about the spill by the fisheries board on Saturday.
Booms were placed on the river with the result that a lot of the fuel had been contained. The mopping up exercise would continue for the next few days. "We were fortunate that we had a lot of heavy rain over the weekend which caused major dilution of the spill , said Mr O'Halloran. "We understand that vandalism may be the background to this."
Nenagh Ormond Anglers' spokesman, Mr Joe O'Donoghue, said diesel was still entering the river yesterday. "I am not satisfied with the way the matter is being dealt with. A lot more needs to be done. Quite a lot of oil has gone down the river. The vegetation in the drain is saturated in oil and it's going to have to be dealt with decisively now to put things right."
Mr O'Donoghue, a member of the fisheries board, said no fish kill had been reported. However fly life, which was a major source of food for fish, was a casualty of oil spills. He said the fish would be inedible for months if they came in contact with the oil.
Local angler Mr Tom Morgan said oil had lethal consequences for water fowl. He had seen water hens come out of the river to avoid the oil.
Mr James Hayden of Nenagh Athletic Football said the club was now taking extra measures to prevent a similar occurrence. He confirmed a break-in had taken place and a fuel tank had been emptied.