Kids football camp in Northern Ireland moved because of "horrendous smell"

Children joined a protest in May against plans to make the factory bigger

A children's football camp in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, has been moved because of a "horrendous smell".

Organisers of the summer club at St Mary's GFC said: "In the interests of the safety of our 90 children attending the camp and the 12 Tyrone coaches, who have been exposed to the most horrendous smell over the past two days from Sawgrass/Northway, we feel like we have been left with NO other choice but to relocate our Tyrone Summer camp."

People living in the area nearby have complained for over three years, about the smell from a nearby compost factory.

The factory is owned by Sawgrass Substrates Ltd (SSL) and makes a special type of compost for growing mushrooms, by mixing together hay, water and chicken litter - which is leftover bedding, and is made of things like sawdust, chicken poo and wee.

The kid's summer camp has now been moved to the Tyrone GAA Centre in Garvaghey for the last two days of activities.

The factory makes compost for growing mushrooms

A spokesperson from the SSL factory said that the increase in smell might be because of planned work to replace a biofilter in the factory.

"While a temporary and localised increase in odour may occur during the removal of existing media and the initial conditioning of the replacement system, every effort will be made to minimise any disruption to the community.

It said this work was "critical for the long-term effectiveness of its odour control system".

The company also said "it remains fully compliant with all statutory requirements and operates strictly within the parameters of its relevant waste licenses" and "is committed to being a responsible neighbour and takes all feedback seriously."

More than 200 local people turned up to protest against a planning proposal by the factory in May

However, people who live close to the factory in Killeeshil have said that their lives have being affected by the bad smell for years.

In March 2024, residents protested outside the factory, and in May more then 200 people gathered outside Mid Ulster Council offices to voice their concerns.

A local primary school and Gaelic Athletic Association club have also said the smell was affecting children's everyday lives there.

In 2024, Principal Louise Quinn from Cabragh primary school, said the smell had prevented children from using a sensory garden on the school grounds.

"It does vary, sometimes we get it in the mornings and sometimes late afternoon, and wind direction seems to play a part." she said.

People gathered outside the factory in 2024 to protest

A spokesperson from Mid Ulster District Council said: "Given the lengthy period and extent to which the council has received complaints in relation to this site, the council is currently undertaking a complete case review of this matter.

"It is anticipated that the case review process in respect of alleged statutory nuisance will be completed by the autumn."