Foul smell forces Mayo residents to leave their home

There are calls for an investigation to be carried out after a foul smell hung in the air in Castlebar before Christmas.

Cllr Ger Deere fielded calls from residents on the Turlough Road after the unpleasant odour stunk out their area.

Some residents were forced to leave their homes as the smell became too overpowering and unbearable.

“It was extremely bad. I was speaking to one family who had to move out to relatives in the countryside because the smell was so bad and they have children with illnesses,” said Cllr Deere. “It's just not good enough. It’s causing a lot of distress for people in the area."

The public sewerage plant in the area is believed to be responsible for the stench.

Cllr Deere is determined to get to the root of the problem and Mayo County Council has also contacted Uisce Éireann. He urged impacted residents to also make their voices heard.

“The treatment planrtis run by a company contracted to Uisce Éireann. I'm advising people who have been affected to bombard Uisce Éireann with complaints. It’s terrible any time of the year but especially around Christmas and you have families having to keep their windows and doors closed."

Cllr Deere said the treatment plant has caused a number of issues in recent years.

“There have been a lot of issues with that treatment plant over the years, particularly with noise late at night keeping people awake. And now we have this ongoing odour. It can’t be allowed to continue. It needs to be sorted out."