SERVICES
11 April 2019
The third meeting of the Residents Forum took place on 9 April 2019 in Carrickmacross Civic Offices. Representatives from the local Residents Group, Monaghan County Council officials and elected members, Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Environmental Protection Agency and Gyproc (Ireland) Ltd. were in attendance. Also present were the Chairperson and Secretary of the Magheracloone Roads Action Group. The meeting was chaired by Cllr. David Maxwell, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council.
Pat McEneaney, Community Liaison Officer for Gyproc Ireland Ltd. reported on his activities, which included 34 one-to-one meetings, liaising directly with households and meetings with local sporting and community groups.
Kieran Holohan, Marketing Director, Gyproc Ireland Ltd. confirmed that copies of the mine working maps were circulated to 13 residents last week, as agreed, and a copy would be distributed to the wider community later this week, as part of a proposed newsletter. Copies will also be posted on the Gyproc website. It was suggested that copies of the newsletter/map be left in the local church and school for those without online access. Gyproc would be available to discuss the map with individuals upon request.
Neil Marshall of SRK Consulting, engaged by Gyproc Ireland Ltd. delivered a presentation on his report entitled December 2018 Crownhole. Hard copies of the report were distributed to the residents groups.
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment confirmed that it had received the report and it was currently being considered by Wardell Armstrong, consultants engaged by the DCCAE, together with analysis and modelling detail from the investigation. The DCAE’s verification process will be completed over the coming weeks and the results issued to Monaghan County Council.
Pat O’Connor, Operations Director, Gyproc Ireland Ltd., presented on Gyproc’s water discharges the river Bursk since October 2018, stating that the company would submit a Water Management Plan to the Environmental Protection Agency by the end of the week and also intend to seek an EPA licence review application in May 2019, which will propose a new water discharge point. Pat O’Connor also delivered a presentation detailing the historical sinkhole occurrences over the Drumgossat mine.
Monaghan County Council confirmed that no decision can be made on the reopening of the LP4900 until after the investigation process was complete. The Council had requested funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to restore roads in the vicinity of the mine and the DTTAS Inspector had visited the LP4900 again. The Council is in discussions with Gyproc Ireland Ltd. regarding its costs relating to road closures and restoration works.
The next meeting of the Residents Forum is scheduled for 29 April 2019
Paul Clifford
Director of Services
047-30500