Irish Cement fined for fugitive dust pollution

Irish Cement Ltd has been convicted of two counts of breaching its industrial emissions licence when 'fugitive dust' emitted from the Castle Mungret, Co Limerick plant 'impaired' or 'interfered' with the surrounding environment, Limerick District Court heard.

Irish Cement had faced a maximum EUR4000 fine for each count. Judge Marian O'Leary imposed fines totalling EUR1250 for both counts. Irish Cement pleaded guilty to two charges prosecuted in court by the EPA. A third and fourth charge, relating to similar breaches of its emissions licence, were withdrawn.

The offences occurred on dates between April and May last year. Irish Cement communications manager Brian Gilmore apologised to residents again afterwards, adding: "The company has put in place a number of additional mitigation measures at the factory."