The Green Party has welcomed the conviction of a company for pollution causing a fish kill on Dublin's River Tolka in July 2014.Over 5,000 fish were killed in a stretch of the River Tolka between Finglas and East Wall.Inland Fisheries Ireland prosecuted Alma Hygiene Limited of Bannow Road, Cabra. On 27th July 2015 a fine of €250 was imposed in the District Court along with legal costs and expenses to Inland Fisheries Ireland and Dublin City Council amounting to a total of €34,603.45 including €7,740 towards appropriate mitigation measures.Local Green Party Councillor Ciarán Cuffe stated:"I am pleased that justice has been served in this instance. Environmental crimes must be taken more seriously. While the €250 fine is derisory, it is reassuring that costs of €34,000 will be paid to both Dublin City Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland. I am also pleased that this includes almost €8,000 in mitigation measures that must be undertaken by Alma Hygiene. I welcome the fact that the company came forward with information at an early stage in the investigation. I am also pleased that the City Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland accepted the photographic evidence of the pollution that I sent to them at an early stage."Environmental crimes must be taken seriously and am pleased that in this instance justice has been served. I hope that it will remind companies of their duties to protect the environment."

First published 04Aug15