Full Investigation into Tolka Fish Kill Needed

The Tolka river suffered another blow over the bank holiday weekend, as over 500 fish were killed after some substance entered the water. I got reports of a bad smell along the river and dead fish, so I walked the Blanchardstown to Corduff stretch myself, and saw the grey scum all along the water. I was in touch with Fingal’s Water Pollution team about the issue, and Inland Fisheries and the EPA were also investigating.

The Tolka has been the subject of numerous serious pollution incidents in recent years, including chemical spills, detergent release and ongoing discharge at the Mill Road bridge in Blanchardstown. This is one of Dublin City’s major rivers, yet it is being treated as a dumping ground. It’s not acceptable.  

And now, yet again, wildlife in and along the River Tolka has been devastated by some substance entering the water. Over 500 fish from different species were killed immediately, but the long term impacts of this pollution will take months, if not years, to recover from. This completely undermines the work of the voluntary groups who have been trying to restore the habitat along the Tolka valley, and the quality of the water in the river itself.

Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency need to undertake a rapid investigation of the source of this pollution, and bring forward a prosecution. The damage that has been done over the weekend is really significant, and those who have caused this need to be held accountable.