SINN Féin Kerry County Councillor Pa Daly has called on Kerry County Council to address several sources of pollution on the Big River in Killeen.

Cllr Daly said: “While County Clean Up day provides an opportunity for communities to gather and tidy their areas it is somewhat hypocritical for Kerry County Council to lead the charge when it continues to allow the Big River in Tralee to be used as an open sewer.

“On one 100 yard section of The Big River in Killeen there are five pipes disgorging various types of effluent, including septic tank overflow, into a river which is a habitat for eels, brown trout, herons and countless other wildlife.

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“Despite repeated requests over the past four years Tralee MD councillors have not received the results of oxygen levels in the water nor has the Council arranged to cease these discharges, as requested in Motions to the MD and Kerry County Council.

“Kerry County Council must act to protect this natural amenity in the heart of Tralee. It is totally unacceptable for one of the guardians of our environment to continue to allow this pollution to enter our river.”