The recent meeting concerning the River Suir, held at Cahir House Hotel in Cahir, County Tipperary, on Wed 26th last, attracted a packed room of anglers, Tidy Towns personnel and environmentalists all united by their concern for the future of the river Suir. The meeting was chaired by Mr Derek Cagney, (National Secretary of the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland and Chairman of the Cashel, Golden and Tipperary Anglers Association). Despite the strong public attendance and the importance of the issues under discussion, no politicians, elected councillors or other local Thurles representatives were seen to be present.
Meanwhile, independently a formal complaint has now been made once again by myself, directed at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the continuing condition of the River Suir in Thurles town centre and the failure to respond by the known responsible body, namely Tipperary County Council.
The complaint, (EPA reference COM021813), concerns the stretch running from Eircode E41 NX94 (Barry’s Bridge) along the full stretch of river running to and including the area Eircode E41 C6K7, (Slievenamon Road River Walk entrance).
Concerns have been raised about this watercourse repeatedly since approximately November 2013.
Recent photographs, vidoes and observations indicate that serious problems remain, including:
- abnormal, opaque or grey-looking water;
- foam or surface scum;
- dark material or sludge in the channel;
- water suspected of containing domestic wastewater or run-off;
- extensive rush and vegetation growth, sucking the oxygen from the shallow water;
- bottles, drinks containers and other litter throughout the riverbed and floating on now stagnant, polluted water.
Loss of the River Suir Fountains at Barry’s Bridge
It is deeply regrettable that Tipperary County Council removed the two fountains from the River Suir
These fountains were more than decorative features. They enhanced this prominent riverside area, while helping to circulate and aerate the water. Although fountains cannot themselves remedy pollution or replace proper river management, their operation can improve local water movement and dissolved-oxygen levels.
At a time when residents are reporting stagnant-looking water, excessive vegetation, algae, sludge and litter, their removal represents the loss of both a valued public amenity and a potentially beneficial source of aeration.
Tipperary County Council should now explain why the fountains were removed, what assessment preceded the decision and whether they will be again restored. Their return should form part of a wider, properly funded programme to investigate pollution, clean the channel and restore this neglected stretch of River,
Photographs alone cannot fully establish the composition or exact source of the water or material contained. That requires a professional inspection, laboratory testing and proper source-tracing. However, the visible conditions are sufficiently abnormal to justify an urgent investigation.
In September 2025, the EPA referred the matter to Tipperary County Council as I requested. The Council subsequently outlined immediate and planned actions, including a proposed catchment-management plan and pilot study, details of which I am not privy.
In November 2025, the EPA informed me that it was satisfied, based on the Council’s response, that the Council was taking appropriate steps to fulfil its environmental responsibilities.
Alas however, the continuing conditions during 2026 now raises serious questions about whether those promised measures were ever implemented and whether they produced any measurable environmental improvement.
On 23rd August 2026, the EPA acknowledged my further correspondence. It has again referred the matter to Tipperary County Council and has stated that it will assess what further EPA action may be appropriate after reviewing the Council’s next response. An update has been promised within the next four weeks.
It has been made clear that another referral and exchange of correspondence will not, by themselves, clean this river, identify the source of any discharge or prevent the problem from recurring. The Council’s handling of the matter is itself a central part of this complaint. Independent oversight now requires verification of what is happening on the ground.
It has been formally requested that a suitably qualified EPA officer conduct an unannounced inspection while the conditions are visible. I am available to meet an officer at the site and identify the affected locations.
The EPA have also been asked to:
- inspect and photograph the affected watercourse;
- arrange properly documented upstream and downstream sampling;
- analyse the water for appropriate chemical, biological and microbiological indicators;
- trace relevant drains, pipes, culverts and outfalls;
- establish whether any discharge exists and whether it is authorised;
- examine Tipperary County Council’s complaint, inspection and enforcement records;
- obtain evidence that Tipperary County Council’s promised actions were completed;
- specify deadlines for investigation, cleaning and remediation;
- consider its statutory supervisory powers if the evidence shows that Tipperary County Council has not performed its environmental duties adequately.
The EPA’s own guidance states that people may complain about a council’s environmental performance where a problem has not been addressed within a reasonable period or properly investigated. It also states that the EPA may issue legal notices or direct a council to take action where its duties have not been performed adequately. Under section 63 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, as amended, the EPA oversees local authorities’ performance of their environmental-protection functions.
The EPA are being asked to prejudge whether an offence has occurred. A rigorous, evidence-based and independent investigation is being sought. If the EPA decides that an inspection is unnecessary, a reasoned written decision has been asked for, explaining what verified evidence supports that conclusion.
After approximately thirteen years of complaints, plans, promises and political assurances are no longer enough. The public is entitled to a clean watercourse, accountable environmental governance and clear answers about what has entered this section of the River Suir.
From today, August 30th, I will make the substantive correspondence and official responses publicly available, subject to the appropriate protection of personal information. Further photographs and updates will follow.
Signed: George Willoughby.
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