A Co Armagh farmer was fined a total of £1,500 plus court costs of £34 at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Ian Marshall, of Clady Milltown Road, Mowhan, was convicted for making a polluting discharge to a waterway.
On January 13, 2012, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, inspected the farm of Mr Marshall and observed heavy fungal growth in an unnamed tributary of the Mowhan River.
On January 31, 2012 the Water Quality Inspector revisited the farm of Mr Marshall and observed the Mowhan River and the unnamed tributary to be heavily polluted. The source of the polluting discharge was traced to farm premises owned by Mr Marshall. Approximately half a kilometre of waterway was affected by the discharge.
Samples taken on both dates confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.
Anyone wishing to report a pollution incident can call the 24 hour Water Pollution Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
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