Residents in Galway take action on landfill

Galway Corporation has applied for permission to extend a landfill site near Lough Corrib, although it has failed to comply with many conditions on which the original planning permission for the site was granted, the High Court was told.

Mr Michael O'Donnell, with Mr Edward Walsh SC, for three residents of the Carrowbrowne area, made the claim on the opening day of a challenge by the residents to the continued operation of the dump there.

In the judicial review proceedings, Ms Kathleen Curley, Ms Anne Coady and Mr Desmond Rooney are seeking orders requiring Galway Corporation to cease all dumping and waste-disposal activities on the lands at Carrowbrowne, from using the lands for such activities until all conditions of the original planning permission are complied with and from acting in breach of those conditions.

An order requiring the corporation to carry out such remedial work as is necessary to prevent the contamination of adjoining waters is also sought.

Mr O'Donnell read an affidavit on behalf of the residents from Mr David Healy, an environmental consultant.

Mr Healy said the site was located in a very sensitive and vulnerable environment.

In opposition, Galway Corporation says the Carrowbrowne landfill site is the only site available to it for the disposal of municipal solid waste. It says the current permission for the site expires on April 9th, 1999, and that the corporation submitted an application to Galway County Council for planning permission for an extension to the site on October 23rd last.