Super-objection could prevent Mungret tyre burning plans

Metropolitan councillors have approved plans for a joint submission against Irish Cement's Mungret plans to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Irish Cement, which wants to burn used tyres at its plant in Mungret, has cleared all but the final hurdle to establish the EUR10m (US$11.6m) project.

However, a group of local residents and councillors now hope to join with Clare County Council to provide a 'super-objection' to the proposals, which have already prompted over 2000 people to write to the EPA over environmental concerns.

Sinn Fein councillor, Malachy McCreesh, said: "The community has been ignored by our own planning authority and ignored by An Bord Pleanala. If we do not stand behind them, they will be ignored by the Environmental Protection Agency too."

Cllr James Collins, Fianna Fail, added: "We are concerned that industrial incineration is proposed just three miles from the city centre, and less than a mile from Limerick city and county's newest high-amenity area, new primary and secondary schools, the new Mungret public park and a large area zoned for residential development."