Northway Mushrooms factory: Residents raise concerns about smell

The gathering was organised by the Cabragh Concerned Residents Association

A crowd has gathered outside the Northway Mushrooms factory near Dungannon, County Tyrone, to voice concerns about a bad smell from the site.

People say they worry about the health impact and an "unpleasant" odour.

The gathering was organised by the Cabragh Concerned Residents Association (CCRA).

It was attended by people living in surrounding areas.

Some held placards and posters and a large sign was erected on the gates of the factory with the words "Stop the stink".

These posters have also been erected on the roads leading to the factory site.

Concerned resident John Mulgrew said the "factory was meant to create jobs and instead it's created a stink".

"The smell, especially on certain days is unreal, warm days and that," he said.

"Flies as well, a lot of flies."

'We want the problem fixed'

Maria Nugent, a member of the CCRA, said residents were "concerned about what is in the smell and what it is doing to our health".

"It is affecting our daily lives, we can't hang clothes out on lines and children in the local school half a mile down the road are unable to go outside and play," she added.

"Windows can't be opened in classrooms.

"We have come together as a community today to hold a peaceful protest just to show that we want this resolved.

"We are not demanding it [the factory] is closed, we want the problem fixed."

Maria Nugent said residents were "concerned about what is in the smell and what it is doing to our health"

In a statement, Northway Mushrooms said its facility had involved a financial investment of more than £25m and had "resulted in a substantial number of direct and indirect local jobs".

"From an environmental perspective, the facility sustainably manages a significant proportion of Northern Ireland's poultry litter," a spokesperson said.

"This means it not only diverts litter from conventional agricultural land spread and therefore reduces nitrate surpluses, but it also further supports the agri-food industry which sustains thousands of jobs in the region.

"On a day-to-day basis, the plant is operated to the highest standards and is regulated by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) who carry out regular, unannounced inspections to ensure it is compliant with all relevant permits and licenses."

Sinn Féin councillor Gael Gildernew, Paudi Nugent, Maria Nugent and DUP councillor Mark Robinson

The company said that since 2019, it had continued to "invest heavily in the site to establish and maintain a world-class facility which uses market-leading technology".

"Details of these investments have been shared with the CCRA and other local stakeholders as part of our extensive engagement programme and to ensure they are aware of our commitment to ongoing improvement," it added.

"We take all issues and claims raised very seriously, particularly those relating to health.

"Over the last 12 months we have had onsite inspections carried out by the Environmental Health Department and the Health and Safety Executive.

"These inspections have not resulted in any adverse findings or concerns.

"Despite this we have also offered to appoint a leading health and social impact specialist to carry out additional assessments as a gesture to help reassure the CCRA committee."

Concerned resident John Mulgrew was among those in attendance

Northway Mushrooms said it was "committed to engaging with all stakeholders to make sure any concerns are addressed, and the plant can continue to contribute to the local and regional economy across the island of Ireland".

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) said it continues "to engage with local stakeholders about their concerns, including residents, the Cabragh Concerned Residents Association, local community groups and elected representatives".

"The NIEA is collaborating with our relevant partners in Mid Ulster District Council (Planning and Environmental Health) and Public Health Agency (PHA) to promote a co-ordinated response to local concerns," a spokesperson added.

"NIEA continues to monitor the site and local area on a regular basis and investigate reports of odour.

"We will take any further necessary and proportionate enforcement action in line with the department's Enforcement Policy."