IFI welcomes court ruling regarding Tirlán water pollution incident in Co. Monaghan

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has welcomed a court ruling on a water pollution incident involving Tirlán after high levels of “grossly polluting” matter discharged into a wild brown trout spawning river.

Large volumes of white-coloured effluent from Tirlán’s dairy processing facility in Lough Egish Business Park, Co Monaghan were detected entering a tributary of the Knappagh River system - which flows into the River Erne.

Samples taken by IFI officers following the incident indicated high levels of organic material in the effluent that was toxic to fish, insects, and other aquatic life.

Tirlán entered a plea of guilty in relation to the pollution event, and must now pay €15,177 in legal costs and expenses.

Commenting, Milton Matthews, IFI’s North Western River Basin District Director, said: “This serious pollution event had a significant impact on the brown trout spawning and nursery habitat within the Knappagh River catchment.

"This catchment is classified under the Water Framework Directive as being ‘at risk’.

"Tirlán has agreed to make a charitable contribution of €5,000 to the Bawn Community Group CLG to support the continued development and promotion of angling in the Bawn/Latton areas in Co Monaghan.

"This is a welcome support to this long-established local voluntary group."

The Probation Act was applied in the case on the basis that Tirlán agree to make a voluntary contribution of €5,000 to a local charity.

The court heard from IFI that laboratory analysis of test samples showed that “grossly polluting” material was evident in the water.

The case was heard at Monaghan District Court on March 26th 2025, and concluded on April 23rd 2025.

Since the incident Tirlán has put in place a range of preventative measures, including regular daily monitoring and visual checks of the facility and adjacent watercourse to guard against a future reoccurrence, the court was told. 

The incident occurred on November 24th, 2023.

IFI continues to urge the public to report issues of concern relating to freshwater fish and their habitats to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.