High Court injunction sought to stop extraction of water from Connemara lake

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A High Court injunction is being sought to stop the controversial extraction of water from a lake in Connemara. The injunction is being sought by Friends of the Irish Environment to force fish farm operator Marine Harvest to remove a 3 kilometre pipeline feeding fresh water from Loch an Oir to Galway Bay. Marine Harvest says that the pipe, constructed in June, is essential for treating Ameobic Gill Disease in Salmon. The company has applied for retention of the pipeline after Galway County Council ruled that it was unauthourised and required planning permission. Tony Lowes, Director of Friends of the Irish Environment, says that retention can not be sought when development requires assessment under EU law.