Leitrim windfarm fined for water contamination
Leitrim wind farm fined €4,900 after River Bonet pollution incident threatens sensitive fish
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured a conviction against a wind farm firm for contamination of a waterway in the county.
Tullynamoyle Windfarm 5 Ltd was found to have caused silt to flow into a tributary of the River Bonet, and must now pay a fine and costs/expenses amounting to €4,900.
The incident happened at Lisnagowan within the Bonet River and Belhavel Lough catchment in Co. Leitrim.
"The Bonet river is a sensitive habitat and is under environmental pressure," said Mary Walsh, IFI Western region director.
"The fishery is only open on a catch-and-release basis due to declining salmon stocks there," she added.
"This was a significant pollution incident which potentially impacted the water quality, and posed a serious threat to our natural environment and fish populations."
Tullynamoyle Windfarm 5 Limited was instructed to pay a fine of €3,500, and €1,400 in costs/expenses to IFI.
“It is a step in the right direction in regards of making any of these industries accountable for their actions in an area,” said Councillor James Gilmartin.
Adding: “It shines a light on their responsibility and shines the light on the environment that they are going into. I mean, they can’t just run amok, and that it will be alright.”
The incident took place in January 2024, and the case was heard at Sligo District Court on February 24th, 2025.
Separately, IFI also prosecuted a plant hire company after a discharge of sediment entered the Bonet River system in a related incident.
Norris Plant Hire Limited was given the benefit of the Probation Act and ordered to give a contribution of €1,000 to a charity, andalso pay costs/expenses of €1,000 to IFI.
The incident took place in January 2024, and the case was heard at Sligo District Court on February 24th, 2025.
IFI urge people to report water pollution, fish kills, or issues of concern in their local rivers/lakes to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.