THE bloated and rotting carcass of a cow floats in Lough Ross – the main drinking water source for the whole of South Armagh!
The sight has sickened and disgusted locals and led to calls for swift action to track down the culprits.
It is just the latest act of indiscriminate dumping in the area – dead animals, fuel laundering sludge and toxic waste have all been disposed of throughout the area.
But this latest act has caused outrage, and led to one local councillor to call for anyone with information to come forward, as he pleaded: “Don’t let them poison our water supply.”
“I am absolutely appalled and disgusted that somebody could stoop so low as to dump an animal in our drinking water supply at Lough Ross,” said Sinn Fein’s Terry Hearty.
“To think that somebody would risk poisoning the main water source for all of south Armagh, just to save themselves the fee for having an animal carcass disposed of, is utterly reprehensible.
“This act shows nothing but contempt for the people of South Armagh. Whoever is responsible for this has put our community, our children and quite possibly their own family at risk.
“This is the only water amenity we have in the area and, as such, it is a popular place for young and old. Children enjoy playing here and feeding the ducks, while others enjoy picnics and walks, and the last thing they want to see is the rotting carcass of an animal.
“I would encourage anyone with any information on this despicable act to pass it on to DARD or environmental health in the council without hesitation. If people would prefer, they can contact me and I will pass the information on.
“We cannot allow thoughtless individuals to risk the safety of the very water we drink. They must be stopped and a message sent out that this type of behaviour will not be accepted.”
