Prosecution for Ballinagh fish kill

Charges are set to be laid in connection with the latest fish kill on the Ballinagh River during the summer, The Anglo-Celt can reveal.

Inland Fisheries Ireland has confirmed that a file is being prepared for prosecution relating to the incident on July 13.

A 1,000-plus fish kill along a 1km stretch of the Ballinagh river during the summer left the community there outraged.

Inland Fisheries Ireland environmental and fisheries staff identified deceased brown trout, stickleback, minnow and roach among the dead fish at the time.

“A suspected source of pollution has been identified," an IFI spokesperson told the Celt this week.

“IFI is following a definite line of inquiry and is preparing a file, with view to bringing a prosecution," they continued.An investigation was undertaken and water samples taken at the time of the fish kill.

Asked what caused the fish kill, the spokesperson responded: “IFI is not in a position to comment at present, so as not to prejudice the outcome of a potential case.”

Speaking following the fish kill, some anglers pointed the finger at the local waste water treatment plant as the potential source of pollution.

Also asked for an update on the cause of the pollution, an Uisce Éireann spokesperson stated:"Wastewater treatment plant process improvements are carried out on an ongoing basis at the Ballinagh Wastewater Treatment Plant.

"Most recently, there has been a review and modifications made to control flows through the plant, ongoing cleaning and maintenance of site infrastructure, and management of wasting on site.

"Process monitoring is carried out on site and this demonstrates significant improvement in the quality of effluent being discharged since the reported July incident."

Uisce Éireann has been prosecuted in the past for polluting the river, though it remains to be seen if the July 2025 charges will be brought against the utility provider.

In 2023, at Cavan District Court, Uisce Éireann was convicted of a third pollution incident regarding the Ballinagh plant since 2015. The last occasion related to a discharge in July 2022, which resulted in around 160 fish being killed. At the time tests showed high levels of ammonia - 32 times greater than expected in good salmon or trout waters.

To prevent such pollution incidents taking place in the future, meanwhile, the IFI spokesperson stated: “IFI has a very strong track record in finding pollution sources in rivers, and in initiating and concluding prosecutions against individuals and companies for fish kills.

IFI environmental teams investigate fish kills on a regular basis across Ireland, and responded to a significant number in the summer of 2025.

The spokeperson praised the body's work and record in this regard, while acknowledging: “The agency cannot patrol all these waterways and bodies of water on a round-the-clock basis."

They said the IFI is "highly dependent" on the public to inform them of issues of concern they encounter.

“IFI operates an emergency, out-of-hours, response to any potential fish kill incident.

The fisheries' core mission is to protect freshwater fish and their habitats.

“It is crucial that any signs of fish in distress, pollution, illegal angling, habitat destruction are reported to IFI to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.”