An officer found the that the Forkhill River in Co Armagh had been badly polluted, and SICIM Roadbridge Ltd of Tougher Business Park in Naas pleaded guilty to the offence.
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The pollution was traced to three large industrial pumps discharging large volumes of heavily silted effluent directly into a tributary of the river.
The effluent was being pumped from a section of the North-South gas pipeline, which was being constructed by SICIM Roadbridge Ltd.
Analysis confirmed that the river was badly polluted, containing silt at a level which would have been harmful to fish.
The Magistrate, Mr Copeland, said that the company appeared to have put the interests of commerce before environmental interests. He imposed a fine of £15,000 plus court costs of £91 and analysist costs of £120.30.
(JM)
