New eye service cuts waiting lists at Louth County Hospital

Frank Duffy, Dundalk (left) one of the first patients to undergo cataract surgery as part of the new Eye Service in Louth County Hospital with Geraldine Forrester, Clinical Nurse Manager and Mr James Morgan, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Louth County Hospital.

A new eye treatment service opened recently in the Louth County Hospital, with the HSE claiming it has helped to cut waiting lists.

Funding for this new service has been provided by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme secured by Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT), the cross border health and social care partnership.

The new treatment service was established to support existing Ophthalmology Services for patients in the Louth, Monaghan and Cavan areas and in particular, to provide specialist eye operations and procedures locally.

The new service, which has been under development over the past 12 months, is providing cataracts and eyelid surgery and treatment for other eye conditions on a day case basis in the Louth County Hospital. The eye service is also providing the most modern treatments for patients with ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic eye disease and retinal problems.

The new service, by working in conjunction with the Community Eye Services and the Mater Hospital in Dublin, is making a significant impact on local waiting lists.

The Eye Service commenced with the appointment of Mr James Morgan, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Louth County Hospital in June 2013 and the team now also includes a specialist nurse, a health-care assistant and a clerical officer.

The Hospital Eye Service, together with the Community Eye Service, has seen 1,730 patients in Louth and another 1,767 patients at the Mater Hospital Dublin, on an outpatient basis. The new service is supported by Clinical Optometrist, Fiona Flynn Smyth who carries out referral refinement clinics in Community Care for diabetic retinopathy, macular disease and cataracts, and refers patients onto Mr Morgan and team for further tests and procedures.

A backlog of patients waiting to be seen has been reduced to a matter of weeks due to this new service.

Local man, Frank Duffy from Dundalk had been waiting two years for cataract treatment in both eyes before the new service. Frank had both cataracts removed and says he hasn’t looked back since the surgery.

He said: “I was among the first people to be treated when the new Eye Service started in Louth County Hospital. It is like a miracle. Before the surgery, if I passed someone in the street who said hello to me I would only know them by their voice as my eyesight was so bad with the cataracts.

“I recovered well from the surgery and I now can take my dog for a walk and see the mountains and wee houses around me. This surgery has made a big difference to my life and I am grateful for the excellent service I received in my local hospital.”

Louth County Council to investigate reports of contamination to Dundalk water supply

Contaminated water pictured in a stream outside Castleblayney last week by The Sunday Independent

Following this morning’s monthly meeting of the council, Louth Local Authorities have issued a press statement regarding Dundalk’s water supply.

A newspaper article yesterday claimed that the town’s water was being contaminated as a result of fuel launderers pouring toxic waste into rivers.

However, in a statement released just before lunchtime, the council said that they carried out regular sampling which was “fully compliant”.

They vowed to investigate the claims made in The Sunday Independent though.

The statement read:

“Louth County Council noted media reports yesterday regarding an alleged pollution discharge to Lough Ross in Co Armagh entering the River Fane system which is the source of the drinking water supply for Dundalk.

“Louth County Council on behalf of Irish water has contacted the Water Pollution Inspectorate in Northern Ireland to investigate the alleged incident.

“It is alleged in the media that an oil laundering plant is operating in South Armagh and discharging to a tributary which feeds Lough Ross in Co Armagh.

“The Council carries out regular sampling at various properties throughout the water distribution system for Dundalk. The drinking water sample results for Dundalk Public Water Supply Scheme for 2014 for PAHs is fully compliant with the Drinking Water Regulations and below the 0.1µg/L limit.

“The river water results taken at the Dundalk Water Supply abstraction point on the River Fane during 2014 show COD is less than 40mg/l during the year and therefore compliant with the Quality of Surface Water Intended for the Abstraction of Drinking Water Regulations.

“The drinking water samples for Dundalk Town and Environs have all been compliant with the Drinking Water Regulations 2013 with the exception of  one instance of lead detection. The investigation of this lead non-compliance showed there was no lead on the public side of the public water supply.”

Earlier today, the council also confirmed they would be seeking the Sunday Independent’s evidence of the alleged contamination, which the paper said could cause cancers and abnormalities in unborn babies.

Louth County Council seeking Sunday Independent evidence of water contamination in Dundalk

The matter was discussed at this morning’s Louth County Council meeting

Louth County Council have moved to ease fears over the safety of Dundalk’s water supply following an article in yesterday’s Sunday Independent which claimed it was being polluted by oil launderers pumping toxic waste into it.

The investigation in yesterday’s paper claimed that to have found evidence of carcinogenic waste flowing from an illegal fuel plant in south Armagh into Lough Muckno, Lough Ross and the River Fane, which is the main reservoir for the whole of Dundalk

A sample of water taken by the newspaper last week was alleged to contain 8,000 times more chemical pollution than clean drinking water.

The matter was high on the agenda at this morning’s meeting of Louth County Council, with officials reporting no such problems last year.

Councillors were told that in 2014 there were no incidents of carcinogenic and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons being found in water at Cavan Hill treatment plant. There was one test that showed concerns regarding lead. In 2014 the world youth fly fishing contest took place on the Fane river and there were no traces of fish kills.

The Sunday Independent has been asked for their materials/evidence which made the basis of their article in yesterday’s paper. No response has been received.

Hat-tip to Tomás Sharkey for the update from the meeting. He added: “Not saying it is false…the right agencies need their evidence to do a full investigation.”

Meanwhile, a vote was passed condemning both the IRA and the fuel smugglers at the meeting after being proposed by Cllr John McGahon.

Commenting on the motion, Cllr McGahon said: “I was delighted that Louth County Council accepted my motion that Louth County Council condemns the actions of the IRA and all fuel launders operating along the border.

“These fuel launderers have now moved into the business of poisoning our local waterways.

“The pollution in our rivers is not caused by high winds or high tides or any other environmental matters, it’s caused by criminal activity, the vast majority of which is conducted by well known republicans in the border region.

“I have always believed in straight talking and to put it mildly, these gangsters are engaged in environmental terrorism. People along the border are fearful of them.

“Last year, Louth County Council  spent €65,000 clearing up toxic sludge disposed on our roadways, now these criminals are dumping in our waterways, but what will it cost the people of County Louth in the long run in terms of health,”he said.

It was also agreed at the meeting that Irish Water and the EPA would report directly to councillors on the quality of water in Dundalk as soon as possible.

Concern over claims Dundalk’s water supply could be polluted by fuel launderers

Contaminated water pictured in a stream outside Castleblayney last week by The Sunday Independent

Louth County Council will meet for the first time this year later this morning with a report that oil launderers are pumping toxic waste into local water supplies set to feature heavily on the agenda.

Yesterday’s Sunday Independent claimed that the fuel smugglers were pumping the fuel laundering waste into local rivers and said it could be causing cancers and abnormalities in unborn babies.

The investigation by Jim Cusack found evidence of carcinogenic waste flowing from an illegal fuel plant in south Armagh into Lough Muckno, Lough Ross and the River Fane, which is the main reservoir for the whole of Dundalk.

A sample of water taken by the newspaper last week was shown to contain 8,000 times more chemical pollution than clean drinking water.

The sample, taken from directly behind the plant, one of dozens used by paramilitary smugglers in south Armagh, is also 400 times over the maximum chemical content of waste set by the European Union and Irish Water.

The toxic waste is being pumped directly into a stream that feeds directly into the River Fane drinking water system.

Around 40,000 people living in Dundalk – plus another 8,000 in Crossmaglen in south Armagh – are drinking water from the system that is being poisoned by the IRA fuel launderers.

Chemicals in the pollution almost certainly include polycyclic hydrocarbons that are linked to cancers and prenatal disorders.

Preliminary analysis has already shown that a chemical-oxygen demand (COD) in the sample taken is 8,000mg per litre. There should be near-zero COD in drinking water for humans.

The level of poison was so high that it was off the normal mid-range tests that are used for drinking water in Ireland.

The most common dangerous compounds found in the diesel washing by-product are polycyclic aromatic hydrocabons (PAH).

Tests done on industrial pollutants containing PAHs by the Centre for Children’s Environmental Health have found that exposure during pregnancy has produced heart malformations, premature delivery and low birth weight. Exposure has also been linked to cancers and developmental under-development among children.

Commenting on the matter, Sinn Féin councillor Tomás Sharkey said the alleged pollution was of “serious concern” to him and all public representatives in Louth.

“Cavan Hill water treatment plant supplies most of Dundalk and much of the surrounding area. It draws water from the Fane River. If the details in the paper are true, there is a chance that the water entering the treatment plant is contaminated. This raises obvious concerns for human health and environmental protection.

“I have contacted the Sunday Independent and have asked that any information gathered for that article be shared with the relevant authorities and have specifically asked that laboratory test results on water samples be shared with the staff of Louth County Council.

“Once again, on behalf of all Sinn Féin Councillors in Louth, I am asking the public to be vigilant for incidents of dumping of diesel laundering waste and and also asking for a new report on the workings of the multi agency approach which was tasked with tackling this problem in 2011.”

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil councillor Declan Breathnach has called on the EPA to investigate the claims made in the paper so that the town can stand over the quality of its water supply once more.

You can read the full Sunday Independent article here.

Adams in renewed push for Narrow Water Bridge

An artist’s impression of the Narrow Water Bridge

Local TD Gerry Adams has welcomed a renewed commitment by the Irish Government to the Narrow Water Bridge project.

Mr Adams called for words to be turned into action so that the hugely important project, which would link Warrenpoint and Omeath, can now proceed.

The Sinn Féin leader raised the issue during the recent political negotiations at Stormont involving parties in the North and the Irish and British Governments.

In its contribution to a financial package as part of the Stormont House Agreement, the Irish Government reaffirmed its commitment to the project.

Mr Adams said: “Sinn Féin has pursued this issue for some considerable time now. We have consistently raised it with the Irish Government and I did so again during the negotiations which led to the Stormont House Agreement.

“The Narrow Water Bridge is a hugely important infrastructure project that can provide jobs for a region in desperate need of them and a significant boost to the local economy.

“It would also be a hugely valuable North-South link. It has the support of all of the parties in Louth, south Down and south Armagh.

“So far the project has not gone ahead because the Government failed to provide the financial investment needed to supplement funding from local councils and the European Union.

“In relation to Narrow Water Bridge, I sincerely hope that the Government’s reaffirmation of its support for the project will see the current situation turned around.

“We really need to see these fine words now matched by action. Every effort must be made to ensure that this time the bridge is built.”

Feedback sought on how to invest over €500m in border counties

The local consultation event is to take place in the Carrickdale Hotel next Thursday

The European Union is seeking feedback on plans to invest over €500 million in the North and border counties of the Republic over the next seven years.

The Special EU Programmes Body, based in Belfast, is beginning a second and final intensive round of consultation on plans to invest the money before submitting plans to the Government in Dublin and the Stormont Executive.

The investment is shared between two funds – the Peace IV programme, which aims to underpin efforts to build political stability and reconciliation; and Interreg, which seeks to promote development and co-operation among the regions, including the Republic, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Five public consultation events are planned for Dundalk, Cavan town, Belfast, Derry and Glasgow.

The local event will be held in the Carrickdale Hotel on Thursday from 10am to 1pm.

The Peace IV programme will have a strong youth element, concentrating on plans to enhance education and work training for young people. The programme will also include schemes aimed at easing sectarianism and racism “by encouraging greater levels of positive cross-community interaction”.

The special EU body is also seeking to support “civil society” projects designed to facilitate expressions of culture free from intolerance and prejudice.

The Interreg programme seeks to boost cross-Border co- operation, especially in health, where it aims to support “the more efficient delivery of services that will address health inequalities and support the move from institutional to community-based healthcare”. Interreg also has set environmental objectives relating to water quality and protecting habitats. It will further seek to support renewable energy projects and companies with export capacity.

Pat Colgan, chief executive with the Special EU Programmes Body, said all projects would also have to clearly demonstrate the difference they would make in helping the region to develop.

Feedback can also be given online here.

Adams raises Narrow Water Bridge issue with Taoiseach

An artist’s impression of the Narrow Water Bridge

Louth TD Gerry Adams questioned the Taoiseach Enda Kenny on Tuesday in the Dáil on the future of the Narrow Water Bridge project and the government’s position to it.

Deputy Adams welcomed the Taoiseach’s expression of support and the fact that it will be on the agenda for discussion at the June meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council.

Speaking in the Dáil, the Sinn Féin president said: “I have raised this issue with the Taoiseach many times.  The project did not go ahead because of the Government’s failure to provide the financial investment needed to supplement the funding from local councils and the European Union.

“The Taoiseach will be aware that this has the support of all of the parties in Louth, south Down and south Armagh and that the North-South Ministerial Council of last November stated its unanimous support for this worthy project.”

In his response the Taoiseach said the reason the bridge did not go ahead was because of ‘the scale of the difference between the tender and moneys provided under the Special EU Programmes Body, SEUPB and Newry, Mourne and Louth Councils.  

“As previously stated, I support this proposal and would like to keep it alive.  The issue will be the subject of discussion at the June meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council.  I understand that the SEUPB programme is being redrafted and that it is expected the Narrow Water Bridge proposal will be resubmitted.  I cannot confirm to the Deputy whether the same proposal will be resubmitted.  

“Suffice it to say that I would like to see this happen and will support it.  Obviously, the moneys previously available under the SEUPB were diverted to the rail line and a number of other issues.’

Gerry Adams concluded: “The Narrow Water Bridge is a hugely important infrastructure project that can provide jobs for a region in desperate need of them and a significant boost to the local economy. Every effort must be made to ensure that this time the bridge is built.”

Adams to raise Narrow Water Bridge issue with the Taoiseach

An artist’s impression of the Narrow Water Bridge

Local TD Gerry Adams has given a cautious welcome to indications that the Taoiseach may be prepared to financially support the Narrow Water Bridge project and says he intends to raise the issue with the Taoiseach next week in the Dáil.

Newspaper reports earlier this week suggested that Enda Kenny might be willing to finance the bridge, which would link Warrenpoint and Omeath, in 2015.

However, Sinn Féin president Adams said he was cautious about whether or not this supposed commitment was simply a pre-election promise or something set in stone.

He said: “I have raised the importance of constructing the Narrow Water Bridge with the Taoiseach on many occasions in the Dáil and while he has always sounded a positive note regrettably it was his government that failed to provide the financial investment needed to supplement the funding from local councils and the European Union.

“At last November’s meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council Ministers there was unanimous support for the Narrow Water Bridge project.

“It also has the support of all the parties in county Louth, south Down and south Armagh.

“The bridge can be a massive economic driver for the region from Slieve Gullion to the Cooley’s and to the Mournes.

“The government has acknowledged that it is the border counties that record the highest rates of disadvantage across a number of indicators.

“The construction of the Narrow Water bridge is a real opportunity to tackle this disadvantage.

“The Taoiseach has said he backs the bridge project. Fine Gael now says that Mr. Kenny is ready to support the project in the next round of funding from the Special European Programme Body. I intend raising this matter with the Taoiseach next week in the Dáil.

“The people of Louth and South Down and south Armagh want firm commitments not pre-election promises that may now be delivered later.”

Kirk demands action on UK-EU referendum

Seamus Kirk

Louth TD Seamus Kirk has expressed concern that the Government has no clear contingency plan in the event the UK decides it wants to leave the European Union.

In a response to a parliamentary question, Tanáiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore could only say that the Government is monitoring the situation closely.

“I am extremely worried about the Government’s lack of planning this issue. Ireland stands to be the most affected by a possible UK exit from the EU.  The UK, and more specifically England, is growing ever more sceptical of its membership of the Union and a referendum is due to be held, possibly after the UK General Election next year. If this is the case, the Government should be drafting a contingency plan for this country now.

“No other country will be as affected by the UK breaking away from the EU.  We joined at the same time back in 1973 because of our deep economic links.  Those links remain today. The UK is still our largest trading partner and it provided more than €3 billion for the bailout programme, despite not being a member of the Euro. A UK exit could also have a major impact on the level of border controls we need, as well as greater border enforcement on flights and ferry crossings between the UK and Ireland.  Any additional measures would have a major impact on exchequer spending here.

“I find the Government’s lack of consideration for any of these issues extremely disconcerting. The Minister is choosing to ignore the possibility of a UK exit from the EU in the hope that it will go away, rather than put any effort into devising a contingency plan.  This is a very dangerous tactic and will result in haphazard measures being introduced in the event that the UK votes in favour of leaving the EU. I would urge the Minister to reconsider his current position and come up with a detailed strategy to deal with the possibility of a UK exit, rather than burying his head in the sand and waiting until it’s too late to formulate a legitimate plan for Ireland.”

Energy efficiency upgrades underway thanks to cross-border project

The County Museum in Dundalk is one of nine buildings being upgraded

Homeowners and businesses are set to benefit from a cross-border project where local authorities will demonstrate best practice for reducing energy costs.

The cross-border initiative, the Energy Efficiency and Micro-Generation Project, funded through the European Union’s INTERRREG IVA programme commenced in the East Border Region in 2011. Ten local authorities, seven in Northern Ireland and three in Republic of Ireland, selected five of their most energy hungry buildings, fifty buildings in total, to undergo detailed energy audits. As a result of the energy audits, 9 buildings were selected to undergo upgrades to building fabric and building services to reduce the energy consumption.

In the County Museum in Roden Place – one of the 9 buildings selected for energy upgrades works – the upgrade of all gallery and exhibition space lighting to energy efficient LED technology, coupled with the installation of motion detection on each floor, will significantly reduce electricity consumption on site. This lighting upgrade will also be complimented by the installation of a large array of photovoltaic solar panels on the south facing roof, which when weather conditions allow will provide on-site green electricity generation which will meet the majority of the reduced lighting load.

Another feature of the building upgrades will be a visitor experience display screen in the building foyer which, through collaboration with project partners Dundalk Institute of Technology, will provide monitoring of the building’s energy meters allowing visitors to see a ‘live’ display of the building’s energy performance, comparing live data with historical energy consumption and carbon emissions data.

Bryan Crowe, the Energy & Sustainability Project officer, is enthusiastic about the potential of the energy upgrades.

“I am delighted to be involved with this exciting project and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate the energy saving potential of energy efficiency and micro-generation measures to a wide audience through the creation of visitor friendly exemplar buildings within the East Border Region,” he said.

It is expected that the project works will showcase best practice and the renewable technologies most suited to the local climate to local SME’s and homeowners alike.

The Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Town Council, Councillor Eamonn O’Boyle, welcomes this new innovative project, and hopes that it will lead to a much improved efficiency in energy consumption in our County Museum and wishes to acknowledge the funding received from the INTERRREG IVA programme for this new important Cross Border initiative.

Additional information can be found at www.sustainandbuild.com, or follow project progress, with regular updates on twitter @sustainandbuild.

The building upgrades across all 9 sites have commenced with works to be complete by the end of March 2014.