‘People power is key to stopping Irish Cement plan’ says Limerick Against Pollution

IT’S only through “people power” and “direct action” that Irish Cement’s controversial plans for Mungret will be defeated.

That’s according to opponents of the €10m scheme, which will see the firm phase out the use of fossil fuels in the burning of cement in favour of used tyres and solid recovered waste.

More than 150 people were at a public meeting in the South Court Hotel for an event hosted by Limerick Against Pollution (LAP), which has fought against the proposals for more than three years.

Irish Cement has cleared all but one hurdle towards implementing its reforms at Mungret, with the final step being the awarding of a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

And there was a strong feeling in the room that this will happen.

On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Limerick Soviet, there was a summonsing of the spirit of protest at that time, with Dr Angus Mitchell, LAP, saying: “A century ago, the people of Limerick stood up to the Competent Military Authority in Ireland because that power had violated the fundamental rights and will of the people. It’s not difficult to make the connections that brought on a sense of righteous anger in April 1919, with the same sense of righteous anger that brings us here tonight.”

Local election candidate Seónaidh Ní Shíomóin said there should be a protest at the gates of Irish Cement on the first day of its new operation.

“In Limerick, we have a great tradition of people power. I would be asking the public to ask politicians in light of the local election to be sure to ask them are they willing to take direct action, and stand on pickets with us at Irish Cement. I’d love to see the mayoral chain to be put to good use, to stick it to the gates of Irish Cement and refuse to let lorries transporting tyres in,” she told the meeting.

The main concerns the anti-incineration lobby has is an increase in emissions into the local environment.

However, a spokesperson for Irish Cement said: “The fossil fuel replacement programme in our Limerick cement factory will not negative impact on the amenities of the area or the air quality in Limerick.”

Willie O’Dea meanwhile, pledged that Fianna Fail will bring forward plans to remove the “immunity” which protects the EPA from prosecution and legal action.

Despite recommendations dating back to 2011, he said the government has not acted to address this, saying: “Can you imagine a situation if the law in this country stated the gardai cannot be sued for anything, the hospitals cannot be sued, or CIE cannot be sued? The EPA is the last bastion of unaccountability in this country and I think it’s time that be removed.”

His stance was backed by Fine Gael Senator Kieran O’Donnell.

Meanwhile, one of the other speakers at the event was 13-year-old Saoirse Exton, who has taken time out of school each Friday to stage regular demonstrations to warn of climate change.

She said: “I’ve been scared of climate change most of my life. But I constantly suppressed that feeling. I kept telling myself it would be okay, but when I saw Greta Thunberg protesting, I realised it won’t be okay. And this is why I knew I had to start protesting: so that people with power will listen.”

Meanwhile, another member of LAP has warned if the reforms are cleared, it could lead to a “cluster” of similar “dirty industries” in the area.

Derek O’Dwyer, an industrial engineer by trade, was warned this could see major employers quit the city as a result.

Maria Corbett, another member, added: “In case you think we are scaremongering, and that we are in good hands with the HSE and the EPA and the full support of the County Council all having our health ad top of the list of their priorities – remember, we thought that was the case with the recent cervical check programme, only to discover otherwise.”

See page 19 for pictures