A SHANNON-based chemical firm has been found guilty of breaching its pollution control licence over the emission of a large red-orange plume from the plant two years ago.
At the end of a four-day trial, a 10-2 verdict found Chemifloc Ltd guilty of failing to comply with its integrated pollution control licence on May 24th, 2007, by allowing nitrous dioxide into the atmosphere above permitted levels. However, Hilary Lawless, director of Chemifloc Ltd, said in court yesterday that he was concerned over “the financial ramifications for me and my directors” from the verdict. “There are insurance implications arising from this verdict and . . . I will have to consider if I can be in business or not.”
Mr Lawless made his comments after the Environmental Protection Agency told the court it would be seeking €59,463 in costs. Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin described the costs figure as “very large”.
Garda Pat Keating had told the trial: “There was no smell from the cloud, but I feared that there might an explosion or poisoning. I was preparing for the worst.” The incident lasted for 33 minutes.
Stephen Coughlan, prosecuting, said a conviction would not have been possible without photos and video footage taken by members of the public. Mr Lawless said the jury’s verdict was the first time in a case that visual evidence was placed above analytical evidence.
The judge, who adjourned sentencing until today, said Mr Lawless had a “bullish attitude” and had expressed his annoyance and frustration at the jury’s verdict.
