Community Inquiry into Mobuoy dump scandal

A Community Inquiry titled ‘Mobuoy: Northern Ireland’s Hidden Environmental Scandal’ is to take place in Derry.

The event has been co-organised by The Gathering, the Committee on the Administration of Justice, Public Interest Litigation Support, Environmental Justice Network Ireland and Friends of the Earth.

Its public hearings are scheduled to take place in Eglinton Community Centre (7.00pm to 9.00pm, Monday, November 10), Strathfoyle Community Association (7.00pm to 9.00pm, Tuesday, November 11), Drumahoe YMCA (7.00pm to 9.00pm, Wednesday, November 12), and Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin (7.00pm to 9.00pm, Thursday, November 13). 

Speaking at the October plenary of Derry City and Strabane District Council on Wednesday, Cllr Shaun Harkin (PBP) said the reason for holding the  Community Inquiry was obvious.

“In 2014, the Stormont Assembly agreed to hold an independent public inquiry into sites like Mobuoy right across the North, to try and establish how it happened, why it happened, and who was responsible?” said Cllr Harkin.

“It is 11 years on and and that has never happened and it is unlikely that it is going to happen any time soon.

“So, this Inquiry is being held to basically try and shine a light on what happened with Mobuoy in order to make sure it never happens again. 

“They will be taking evidence. They are asking people to come to their public meetings. It will be run like a public inquiry is run and the goal is for this Community Inquiry to play a role that the public inquiry should have played. but also to put pressure on government to actually carry out a proper independent public inquiry. 

“Derry City and Strabane District Council has supported the call many times over for a public inquiry into Mobuoy. It supported the decision of the Assembly in 2014 for an independent public inquiry. I want to propose and recommend that we support this Community Inquiry and encourage people to participate and give it Council support in whatever way that we can,” said Cllr Harkin, whose proposal was unanimously supported by elected members. 

More than 1.6 million tonnes of illegal waste were dumped in Mobuoy - one of the largest illegal dumpsites in Europe.

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A spokesperson for The Gathering told The Derry News the Community Inquiry was “to demand answers, accountability, and change”.

“Mobuoy matters because it isn’t just a waste site, it is a test of how seriously we take environmental crime and protect our environment and public health,” added the spokesperson.

“Sitting beside the River Faughan, which supplies drinking water to Derry, the site poses long-term risks of pollution, ecosystem damage, and health impacts.

“In the absence of a public inquiry, communities remain in the dark about the full extent of contamination and regulatory concerns.”

The Community Inquiry can be contacted at: mobuoyinquiry@caj.org.uk.