AN INVESTIGATION HAS been launched into a major fish kill on the River Clodiagh, a tributary of the Tullamore River on Tuesday.

Inland Fisheries Ireland said it responded to reports of a ‘pollution discharge’ to the County Offaly river and some 3,700 fish mortalities have been estimated so far over a five kilometre stretch.

The affected fish were predominantly trout along with other species such as salmon, lamprey, minnow and stoneloach.

IFI is investigating the possibility that a discharge of chemicals may have occurred from a specified location and is following a “definite line of enquiry”. Water and sludge samples have been taken with a view to a possible prosecution.

Inland Fisheries Ireland Director, Amanda Mooney said this pollution discharge has been “a devastating blow to the River Clodiagh”.

The quantities of fish present would indicate that the river had recovered considerably in recent years from a previous eutrophication state, with excellent salmonid spawning and nursery habitat.

It is estimated that the river will take a considerable number of years to recover following this incident.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) asks the public to call its 24 hour confidential hotline number to report any suspected discharge into rivers across the country – 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24.

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