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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
David Kent

Pierce Brosnan issues plea to Meath council to 'Save the Boyne' on social media

Pierce Brosnan has thrown his support behind a local group attempting to 'save' the River Boyne from some Meath County Council plans.

Currently, a Council application is in place which would see the installation of a 7.2 kilometre pipeline into the river which the 'Save the Boyne' groups claims would pump 400,000 litres of treated waste water into it daily.

Pierce famously grew up on the banks of the Boyne having been born in Drogheda and raised in Navan in Meath.

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In a video, published on the Save the Boyne Facebook page, the Bond actor can be seen urging the Council to reconsider.

Pierce Brosnan (Save The Boyne)

The 69-year-old says: "Water is our most precious natural resource. 70,000 people get their drinking water from the River Boyne. The River Boyne is also one of the most important sites for salmon in eastern Ireland and home to rare plant species.

"I grew up on the banks of the River Boyne where it meets the Blackwater, it is one of the most beautiful rivers in Ireland and should be nurtured and cultivated as a sentient being of history, beauty and lifeforce of nature.

River Boyne near Townley Hall area of Drogheda (stock image) (Google Maps)

"As I say, water is our most precious natural resource. Water levels are historically low and our rivers and streams cannot handle excess waste in this time.

"Waste from the Dawn Meats abattoir should not be discharged into the River Boyne. I appeal to the Meath County Council to protect the River Boyne and their community."

An appeal from the group to An Bord Pleanála is currently ongoing, while over 400 submissions have been made in objection to the plan of the Council.

A spokesperson from Dawn Meats said told the Irish Mirror: "Dawn Meats purchased the plant in Slane in late 2017, making significant environmental improvements in line with the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and high environmental standards.

"We take concerns raised by the local community very seriously, but believe the facts show that our €5m investment plan will deliver safer water treatment to best practice environmental standards.

The River Boyne cable bridge (Google Maps)

"Wastewater treatment facilities of this nature are a standard feature of food processing plants throughout the country, and this plant will be one of the most modern in Ireland when built.

"Third-party studies, including a Natura Impact Statement, have assessed no negative impact on the River Boyne or surrounding habitats. The new facility will be subject to regular monitoring by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance with licencing requirements.

"This major investment at the site should be supported because it will:

  • Treat the water to a much higher standard than is currently possible, comfortably exceeding all required EPA standards
  • Treat the water at source rather than the current arrangement of trucking it to be treated off-site by third parties
  • Reduce traffic volumes, the associated carbon emissions and the risk of spillage in the event of a collision that transfer for offsite treatment brings

"The planning application process for the facility is ongoing and Dawn will continue to follow all appropriate regulations and procedures."

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