Fine and costs totalling €4,400 levied in case
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured a conviction against a solar development company for discharging sediment into a Waterford river.
ib vogt GmbH was found to have allowed harmful matter to enter a tributary of the River Tay at Curraheen, Stradbally, Co. Waterford, and must pay a total of €4,400 in connection with the incident.
The pollution took place when a temporary bridge collapsed at a site under the weight of crossing machinery traffic, and was not repaired.
An IFI environmental officer observed mud flowing into the watercourse and into the roadside stream connecting with the River Tay.
Sediment entering roadside stream from solar site
Commenting Lynda Connor Director of IFI’s south-eastern region said: “This heavily silted water event had a harmful impact on water quality and habitat.
“Silt disrupts the balance of the ecosystem, turns a river cloudy – irritating fish gills, smothering their eggs, and reducing the oxygen and good water quality they need to survive.”
Roadside stream at site entrance downstream of polluting discharge
ib vogt GmbH was instructed to pay a fine of €1,500 and €2,900 in costs.
The case was heard at Dungarvan District Court on November 17th 2025.
The facts were outlined to the court by IFI Senior Fisheries Environmental Officer Oliver McGrath.
The incident took place on March 25th 2025.
Roadside stream 3km downstream from site
IFI urge people to report water pollution, illegal fishing activity, habitat destruction, fish kills or issues of concern in their local rivers/lakes to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.
