Greens seek inquiry into Galway landslide

The Green Party has called for a public inquiry into the causes of the landslide at Derrybrien, Co Galway.

The party's spokesman for the Galway region, Mr Niall Ó Brolcháin, said aerial photographs clearly showed the landslide "started precisely at the base of one of the windmills being constructed by Hibernian Wind Power Ltd".

Mr Ó Brolcháin's comments echo those of local residents who believe the landslide was triggered by construction work being done on a €60 million wind farm in the Slieve Aughty mountains above Derrybrien village.

Hibernian Wind Power, an ESB subsidiary, claims it is too early to confirm the cause of the landslide. The company is expected to have completed a preliminary report within a week.

There are reports that up to 100,000 trout have been killed as a result of the landslide.

According to the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, the silt washed into the Owendalulleegh River has killed almost all the fish in a 10-mile stretch down to Lough Cutra.

Mr. Ó Brolcháin described the incident as an "environmental catastrophe" and said it has placed the water supply for the town of Gort - which is supplied by Lough Cutra - under threat.

According to ESB, a five-metre dam has been constructed at the worst affected point and no further subsidence has been reported over the weekend.