BARRY ROCHE

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have confirmed they have begun an investigation into a sewage spillage into a tributary of the River Lee over the weekend which has resulted in the death of around 700 brown trout, salmon and sea trout.

According to the IFI, the fish kill occurred on the Curraheen River in Bishopstown on the south side of Cork city and IFI Environmental Officers responded immediately and began an investigation before working to collect and remove the dead fish.

“There was an extensive fish mortality reported with approx 700 dead fish found over a two kilometre stretch of the river. These included mostly brown trout but also salmon and sea trout,” said the IFI in a statement.

Irish Water confirmed in a statement that the fish were killed following “a failure at the Curraheen Road sewage pumping station” on Friday but Irish Water and Cork City Council have rectified the problem and the pumping station is back in operation.

“Irish Water has notified the necessary statutory authorities and will be carrying out further investigations to determine the exact nature of the incident” it said.

Independent Cork City Councillor, Mick Finn told Cork’s 96FM that the fish kill was spotted by locals out walking on Saturday morning and it was very distressing for many young children to see so many dead fish and he would be seeking a report on the spillage from the relevant authorities.