Sir, - Normally, having reached an age when I have come to tolerate a combination of nonsense and special pleading, I would have ignored the rubbish published (June 18th) on the proposal to locate a major land-fill refuse dump in the huge pit, which is now all that remains of the old "open cast" workings.
Here is a major site, most certainly the best in Ireland if not in Europe for an ideal landfill site. The "open pit" of the outworked Ballynoe Barite Mine provides at least one ideal solution for a local problem, at least within its environs. During the working life of the mine, some 18 million tons of crude barytes ore and limestone over burden were removed. The resulting spiral-sided pit is almost 600 ft deep now, full with rainwater. The entire exposed surface sides and bottom are impervious to water. Barite (barytes Ore) is neutral and non-hazardous. The workings are connected to mainline rail services by a direct, little-used Limerick-Dublin railroad via Nenagh. Thus refuse could be delivered from source to dump by rail. No noise, no smell, no extra road transport haulage and perhaps something to help Iarnrod Eireann lose a few millions less per annum than they are accustomed to do
This is not special pleading. I have no connection with the present owners of the property who have suggested its suitability. My personal knowledge comes from a long association with the previous owners, now long departed, Magcobar (Ireland) Ltd a division of Dresser Industries of Houston Texas. My company was involved in the shipment of their products via Foynes to the four corners of the globe for some 25 years. This may seem a long time, but for Mullock & Sons not so. We started in 1778 and 220 years on we are still operating out of the Shannon Estuary. This might suggest that I am reasonably informed, although I have only served the company for 60 years, having retired recently. - Yours, etc., John Dundon, Exec. Chairman Emeritus, Mullock & Sons,
Dock Road,
Limerick.