NI farmer told to pay out £10k after pollution killed 2,600 fish

A Northern Irish farmer has been ordered to pay out £10,000 after slurry polluted a river resulting in the death of over 2,600 fish.

Co Londonderry farmer Philip Palmer was convicted on 24 August at Magherafelt Magistrates’ Court for the water pollution offence.

The court heard that in May 2020, a water quality inspector inspected Grange Water at Grange Water Bridge, Desertmartin, and discovered discoloured water and dead fish in the waterway, and a strong smell of slurry.

The inspector travelled upstream to Keenaght Water on the Longfield Road, Desertmartin, and identified the presence of slurry within the waterway which runs through Mr Palmer’s farm.