'Ballinasloe Says No' group holding online public meeting on waste transfer facility

A community group in Ballinasloe is holding an online public meeting this evening (Wednesday) in opposition to a proposed waste transfer facility at Pollboy in the town.

The 'Ballinasloe Says No' group organised the Zoom meeting, which takes place at 7.30pm this evening (and can be accessed at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87486177454)

The event is in response to the Galway-based company, Bruscar Bhearna Teoranta, applying to Galway County Council for a permit to operate a waste transfer facility at Pollboy, Ballinasloe.

An initial application from the company was deemed invalid last month, but a valid application has since been submitted and public submissions can now be made up to January 15.

Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan is the secretary and PRO of the 'Ballinasloe Says No' group opposing the development.

The group is describing the facility as a "toxic waste dump" which would see hundreds of trucks, up to 30-tonne in size, being driven through the town.

"This is about highlighting the inappropriate location for this particular development and the impacts it will have on the health, safety, and future of the town itself," Senator Dolan told the Seanad recently.

The public Zoom meeting tonight is due to include presentations from Dr Vincent Parsons, group chairperson, on the health impacts; Anita Tuohy from the Ballinasloe Town Team; Cllr Dr Evelyn Parsons on the environmental impacts; and teachers from local schools.

In 2018, local residents successfully went to the High Court to overturn the granting of a waste transfer facility permit to Barna Waste for a waste transfer facility in the same area of Ballinasloe.