Recycling plant blaze raises questions of water supply infrastructure in Dunboyne

Fire crews tending Thornton's Recycling fire had to trek 1.5km to draw water such was the pressure in hydrants at the scene.

That's according to a local councillor who claimed a major blaze at the recycling centre underlined just how poor the supply is in the local area.

The fire broke out last night at the Thornton Recycling facility shortly after 10pm in Dunboyne and brought under control this morning. There were no injuries as the centre was closed at the time with no personnel on site. The fire was prevented from spreading to other units in the business park and an office block on the site was not affected.

Local Councillor Caroline O’Reilly said she was thankful no injuries have been reported “but the wider implications of this incident cannot be ignored.”

It was reported that residents in Kilbreena and other nearby areas lost their water due to fire crews being forced to draw water from hydrants 1.5km away in the village as there was insufficient water pressure at nearby hydrants adjacent to the facility.

Uisce Eireann previously said Dunboyne’s water supply was “on a knife edge” according to O’Reilly.

“I have received countless messages from residents facing repeated disruptions – no water, or a trickle from taps during peak hours,” O’Reilly said.

“This is not sustainable, and not safe.”

She said there is an issue with aging and poorly maintained infrastructure including “A leak of 43 cubic metres per day was left unresolved for three weeks after I raised it in February.”

Insufficient supply to meet demand or respond to emergencies and network design flaws that worsen pressure issues at peak times are also issues she said are contributing to the issue.

O’Reilly said she asked in early March that the hydrants at Kilbreena be inspected and the fire service said they were not fit for purpose.

“I went out with the fire service that night and it was clear that the pressure is not there. I was told contingency planning was in place – yet last night, we saw how limited and vulnerable that response truly is.”

“This incident reinforces what I’ve been saying for some time – we need a dedicated reservoir to support Dunboyne and its surrounding areas. The time for discussion has passed. The time for action is now.”