Please find herewith attached Tipperary County Council’s response to my EPA Complaint (Re: COM021813), which highlighted the ongoing 13 year old neglect of the River Suir in Thurles town centre, by the responsible body, namely Tipperary County Council.
The attached response, penned by Robert O’Brien (Executive Scientist, Environment & Climate Action), outlines the measures being implemented by Tipperary County Council in relation to the serious matters raised with the EPA.
Re: River Suir, Thurles EPA Complaint COM021813 15-09-2026
Dear Mr. Willoughby
I have been tasked by the EPA to contact you to respond to the complaint received by them No:
COM021813 Alleged Pollution of River Suir and how Tipperary County Council are to respond.
I want to acknowledge your longstanding interest in water quality issues within the Thurles area and the
information you have provided regarding observations along the River Suir including photographs and
descriptions of conditions observed at various locations.
Tipperary County Council appreciates the importance of the River Suir as a valuable environmental and
community resource and recognises the concerns raised regarding water quality, litter and the overall
condition of the watercourse.
The Council takes all reports of potential water pollution seriously and recognises the importance of
protecting and improving the water quality of the River Suir and its catchment.
Currently, Tipperary County Council implements a range of water quality protection measures around the
Suir catchment which includes, farm inspections, discharge monitoring and licencing, septic tank
inspections, Water Framework Directive monitoring, and investigation of environmental complaints.
Through these activities, the Council has consistently taken its water quality responsibilities seriously.
In recognition of the challenges affecting water quality within the catchment, Tipperary County Council
has commenced the preparation and implementation of an Upper River Suir Catchment Management
Plan.
The purpose of this initiative is to develop and implement a coordinated strategy to protect, improve and
restore water quality and aquatic ecosystems throughout the Upper River Suir Catchment, including the
Thurles area.
The preparation of the plan is being led by Tipperary County Council and involves collaboration between:
- Thurles Municipal District;
- The River Basin Management Service (formerly LAWPRO);
- The Environment and Climate Action Section;
- Other relevant stakeholders and agencies as necessary.
A Steering Group has been established to guide the development of the plan and to identify and address
the range of pressures that may be impacting water quality in the catchment.
It is considered that a catchment-based approach provides the most effective framework for identifying
causes of water quality pressures, coordinating actions between relevant agencies and implementing long-
term measures to deliver environmental improvements.
The concerns and observations raised in your correspondence will be taken into consideration as part of
Tipperary County Council’s ongoing work within the catchment. We remain committed to improving water
quality outcomes and to working with relevant stakeholders to protect and enhance the River Suir.
Thank you for taking the time to report your concerns.
Yours sincerely
Signed Robert O’Brien
Executive Scientist.
Please see my immediate reply, today, to Mr Robert O’Brien.
Dear Mr. O’Brien,
Thank you for your response, dated today September 15th 2026, regarding EPA Complaint Ref: COM021813.
Please see the following links showing affected areas both on the river bank and on the river bed with no effort made to collect litter for the past two years, evidence of which is readily available.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMhw-kZT6h4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkwq1TVyif4
A check by myself this morning, (September 15th 11:30am), exactly one month following my EPA complaint, shows that absolutely no effort has been undertaken to remove even one solitary piece of this litter by either Thurles Municipal District Council, or by Refresh Thurles, latter who possibly receive funding for such projects.
Neither has there been the installation of even one litter bin being provided in the affected areas.
While I welcome the proposed Upper River Suir Catchment Management Plan and acknowledge the importance of coordinated work to improve water quality, I must express my deep disappointment at the Council’s failure to address the immediate, visible problems raised in my complaint.
Over the past month, I have observed no action to remove the litter, bottles, discarded clothing, supermarket trolleys and other rubbish from the locations concerned. These items remain in and along the River Suir despite the concerns and photographic evidence already supplied.
Your response outlines the Council’s general activities and plans, but provides no account of any inspection of the reported locations, no commitment to remove the rubbish, and no timetable for doing so. A steering group and a catchment management plan may support longer-term improvements, but they do not resolve the immediate problem of waste remaining in the river over the past two years.
I respectfully condemn this continued lack of visible action. The Council’s stated commitment to protecting the River Suir must be demonstrated through practical measures. Residents who take the time to document and report these conditions deserve a response that addresses the specific problems they have identified.
Please provide:
- Details of any inspections undertaken in response to my complaint, including dates and findings.
- A clear timetable for the safe removal and appropriate disposal of the reported rubbish, including the supermarket trolleys.
- The name of the section or officer responsible for coordinating this work.
- An explanation of any barriers delaying removal and the steps being taken to resolve them.
- Details of measures to prevent further dumping and monitor the affected locations
If removal requires coordination with another body, appropriate permissions or environmental precautions, please identify these requirements and explain how the Council will progress them.
I request a substantive written response within 10 working days, setting out specific actions and target dates. I also ask that this correspondence be included in the record of EPA Complaint COM021813 and that the EPA be informed that the reported litter remains unresolved.
My purpose is to secure a cleaner, better-protected River Suir. I remain willing to assist by identifying the affected locations, but the information already supplied should now be followed by prompt and accountable action.
Yours sincerely,
George Willoughby.
As is always the case, no reply is anticipated in further communications from Tipperary Co. Council.
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