Local authority using oil absorbent floats to tackle oil spill in Mayo river

Mayo County Council staff have installed oil absorbent booms across the Castlebar River in an attempt to mitigate the environmental damage caused by an oil spill.

An investigation is continuing into an oil spill in the Castlebar river, in the Turlough road area of the county town is progressing and the local authority has carried out door-to-door enquiries.

Mayo County Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland are currently investigating the oil spill, which they believe is likely kerosene or heating oil, which flowed into the Castlebar River through underground drains.

A Mayo County Council spokesperson said today, "Following notification from Inland Fisheries Ireland, Mayo County Council have been responding to and investigating an oil spill to the Castlebar River since Tuesday, May 7.

"The oil, of which samples have been taken for laboratory analysis, is likely kerosene or heating oil and is impacting on the Castlebar River via underground drains.

"Investigations to date involved lifting all the drain manholes working upstream from the entry point to the river and this has narrowed the search area to the general Turlough road area of the town," the spokesperson added.

Mayo County Council said door to door calls have taken place in the area and further investigations of the extensive drain network using CCTV cameras is being considered.

The spokesperson added, "The response to date has involved Mayo County Council staff installing oil absorbent booms across the Castlebar River and also locating these booms within the underground drain to capture as much oil as possible.

"Mayo County Council would urge all businesses and householders in the Turlough road area to check their oil storage tanks and connecting pipework for leaks. Anyone with any information on the source of the leak can contact the Environment section of Mayo County Council on 094-9064000.

Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne yesterday said he had concerns it may have a huge environmental impact.

"It's flowing into the Turlough River which will flow into the Moy eventually and depending on the amount of stuff in it it could be very serious," he added.