The Ronan family, which this week agreed to withdraw its application for a meat and bonemeal incinerator in Co Tipperary, has said concern at community divisions on the issue was behind the family's decision to abandon the project.
In a statement yesterday the family said it was "concerned about the serious divisions which have arisen in the local community, where five generations of the Ronan family have lived and worked".
The statement continued that it was "for this reason" that it had now "decided reluctantly to discontinue the project".
The withdrawal of the application was welcomed by Mr Seamus Hayes of the South Tipperary Anti-Incinerator Campaign.
He said the members of the campaign were "absolutely thrilled that National By-Products (the Ronan family company) has listened to the community's concerns".
However, Mr Aidan O'Brien, speaking on behalf of Ballydoyle Racing Stables, Coolmore & Castlehyde Stud farms, said: "We are sorry if the Ronan family felt personally targeted during a campaign which was intense and at times heated."Mr O'Brien said the family was to be congratulated on its decision.
A separate legal action against National By-Products for nuisance, unconnected to the incinerator proposal, is to be withdrawn.
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