EU to hear farmer's pollution case

A European court will today investigate the case of a Co Kilkenny farmer who claims environmental pollution has caused his livestock…

A European court will today investigate the case of a Co Kilkenny farmer who claims environmental pollution has caused his livestock to become sick and killed trees on his land over the past 15 years.

Castlecomer landowner Dan Brennan alleges that hydrogen fluoride emissions from a local brick factory are causing the problems on his 170-acre beef/dairy farm.

Mr Brennan and two vets will present a dossier to the European Parliament's Petitions Committee in Brussels this afternoon.

The committee may be able to compel the Government to carry out further investigations into the issue.

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The problems began for Mr Brennan in the early 1990s when livestock failed to thrive and hazel, ash and holly trees died off.

Mr Brennan (38) claims he is completely dissatisfied with the lack of co-operation by the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Mr Brennan is being supported in his case by the Green Party deputy leader Mary White and other Irish MEPs.

The petitions committee will also today hear evidence on a planned waste incinerator in Dublin Bay in a case taken by Cllr Chris Andrews.