By 
RESIDENTS of the Cabragh and Killeeshil areas have staged a protest outside the premises of Northway Mushrooms over ongoing concerns about the smell coming from the plant.
There were almost 300 people at the event on the Aughnagar Road.They included parents, pupils of the local St Mary’s Primary School in Cabragh and politicians.
Speakers included Colm Rafferty, chairman of the Killeeshil GAA club and also the Cabragh Concerns Residents Association.
“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.
Pupils of St Mary’s Primary School carried 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 Tyrone GAA Chairman, Martin Sludden. He said that the issue would be raised at a meeting of its County Committee tomorrow (Tuesday) night.
NORTHWAY Mushrooms has said its plant in Killeeshil has involved a £25 million investment and resulted in a ‘substantial’ number of both direct and indirect jobs.
In a statement in reaction to the concerns of the community, it says that the site plays a critical role in the agri-food industry in the north and the Republic by supply high quality substrate which helps the mushroom industry.
“Over the last 12 months, we have had onside inspections carried out by the Environmental Health Department and the Health and Safety Executive,” they added.
“These inspections have not resulted in any adverse findings our concerns.