Omagh Ulster Unionist Councillor Chris Smyth has said that lessons must be learned from the major pollution incident in which 100,000 gallons of slurry were inadvertently released into the Owenreagh River near Dromore in County Tyrone.
Councillor Chris Smyth said:
“The scenes which I have witnessed downstream in the Strule river highlight the devastation which has resulted from this pollution incident. Omagh as a town is situated on the river side and has a deep affinity with it.
“The local community has in recent times been very proactive in protecting the river and it is extremely disappointing to see so much of the good work undone by this pollution which has affected literally miles of the river.
“The river will take quite a while to recover but I am confident that the Loughs Agency, the Environment Agency and the Council will do everything possible to minimise the damage and manage the situation as best they can.”