Dawn Meaths pleaded guilty to 25 separate charges, namely failure to comply with EPA regulations surrounding emissions and failure to notify the EPA over environmental issues. The food company were also charged with offering misleading or false information to the EPA regarding their environmental practices on six separate dates.On Monday, May 15, at Waterford District Court, Judge Kevin Staunton fined the food company €3,000 for each guilty charge.
Peter Whelan , the Aontú representative for the Laytown /Bettystown area has voiced serious concerns over MCC’s decision from the outset and he told Meath Live this has given him further food for thought.
He said, “In my original submission to our council regarding the installation of a 7.2 kilometre pipeline to pump treated effluent into the river Boyne , by Dawn Meats , I made them aware of previous fines that were issued to that company relating to illegal discharges .
“It appears these points were ignored and the council awarded permission.
“This decision , which is currently under appeal with An Bord Pleanala and for me this further censure to the company’s Waterford plant proves that this company has no regard for the agency’s of the state who are supposed to police the water quality in our waterways “.
