Around 50 fish have been found dead along Armagh’s Folly River, prompting concerns that the waterway may have been deliberately polluted.
The fish were discovered in the section of river running from near Redrock towards Armagh city centre. A member of the public, who asked not to be named, contacted Armagh I after finding dead fish floating in what he described as almost every part of the waterway.
Resident reports oil smell and foam
The resident said he suspected oil had been dumped in the river on Friday, October 30, after noticing a “stinking” chemical smell. He contacted the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) that day to report his concerns and asked to be contacted if officials planned to visit, so he could point out where he believed the problem had occurred.
He said he did not receive a call from the agency. When he contacted NIEA again on Tuesday, November 3, to request further information, he said he was told the matter was “under investigation”.
The resident later noticed NIEA officials parked on the Newry Road, close to where the river runs. During a walk beside the waterway, he said he found approximately 50 dead fish.
A photograph supplied by the resident showed what was described as white foam floating on the surface of the water. He also reported that the river continued to give off a strong smell of oil.
Wildlife concerns and safety advice
The resident expressed anger over the discovery, pointing to previous efforts to restore wildlife in the river. He said, “It’s a disgrace,” and referred to the return of otters and kingfishers.
The suspected cause of the fish deaths has not been confirmed. Armagh I said it had contacted NIEA for comment, but no response is included in the supplied report.
In the meantime, people who keep animals or livestock with access to the waterway between Redrock and Armagh city have been advised to restrict that access in the interests of health and safety.