Over 200 residents protest against Killeeshil mushroom plant

MORE than 200 residents of Cabragh and Killeeshil who took part in a mass protest outside the premises of Northway Mushrooms say the company must close if urgent action is not taken to address a foul smell which has been coming from the plant.

Children from the local St Mary’s Primary School in Cabragh, as well as players from Killeeshil St Mary’s GAA club were among those taking part in the picket on Saturday morning.

It is now five years since the factory was opened on the Aghnagar Road and people living in the area say that their lives have been made a misery due to the smell.

Colm Rafferty, chairman of the Cabragh Concerned Residents Association and the St Mary’s GAA club told the TyroneHerald that the situation facing the community was ‘not right.’

“After five years, I don’t think anything can be done to stop this stink,” he said.

“They have used the sticky-plaster approach and nothing has worked. “The factory simply isn’t fit for purpose, it isn’t working and will never work.

“We have never asked for this factory to be closed and we would prefer if they fixed the problems. But if they can’t fix this smell, then they need to come clean and say that. Then it will have to close.”

Pupils of St Mary’s Primary School carrying placards with the words ‘Cabragh Residents need action’ and Northway Go away’ were among those in attendance at the rally.

The event was also attended by local Mid-Ulster councillors and Assembly members, as well as Tyrone GAA Chairman, Martin Sludden. He said that the issue would be raised at a meeting of its County Committee tomorrow (Tuesday) night.

Among the speakers was Collette McPeake, secretary of the CCRA. She said the community was ‘absolutely sickened’ by the lack of action over the issue.

“We just feel that the Northern Ireland Environment Agency has used a tick-box exercise. They have just followed a process to keep Northway Mushrooms compliant.

“People in the Cabragh and Killeeshil areas feel that action was never going to happen. But our community wants them to see what is happening here. They have come here because they can’t live with this any longer.

“There needs to be change. Our statutory authorities need to address this. This factory is emitting odours each day and nobody has done anything to help us. This is a real public health issue and the community is absolutely sickened by the lack of protection for their mental and physical health and the local environment.”