The managing director of one of the country's largest quarrying operations yesterday defended his firm's environmental record after a court fined a subsidiary €1,500 for the destruction of a protected habitat on the Shannon estuary.
Mr Paddy Whelan, managing director of Whelan Limestones Quarry Group, said yesterday that his companies had a very good environmental record.
He was speaking after a District Court judge imposed the fine on CW Shipping Ltd following conviction of the company for the unauthorised infilling at Cahercon of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which destroyed a salt marsh, protected under the EU Habitats Directive.
CW Shipping is part of the Whelan Group, and currently Clare County Council's planning and environmental departments are carrying out separate investigations into alleged breaches by Whelan Limestone Quarries, with one resulting in the Environment Department instituting legal proceedings against the quarry operator.
The group's flagship quarrying operation at Fountain, Ennis, recently featured in an RTÉ Primetime programme focusing on alleged planning abuses.
The group's plan to develop a €6 million explosives factory on the Shannon estuary was the subject of heated opposition before being refused by An Bord Pleanála.
Mr Whelan said yesterday he had a very good environmental record.
"I have used that site at Cahercon for a long time and just because it is made an SAC shouldn't stop me using it." He confirmed that he is currently appealing the SAC designation to Government.
He also confirmed that the company is to resubmit plans for the proposed explosives factory at Cahercon in coming weeks.
The use of the SAC site at Cahercon allowed Mr Whelan secure a €2 million contract to supply 140,000 tonnes of rock to secure the Bord Gais pipeline under the Shannon estuary.
CW Shipping carried out the infilling of the SAC site without planning permission, resulting in the county council bringing the successful prosecution.
In imposing the fine, Judge Timothy Lucey remarked that the maximum fine of €1,900 allowed was "paltry". He also ordered CW Shipping Ltd to pay costs of €2,750 and to restore the site under the supervision of Dúchas, the Heritage Service.
