Actor Jeremy Irons pleads with public to make wastewater plant upgrade 'a priority concern'
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Acclaimed actor Jeremy Irons has severely criticised authorities in Ireland for an ongoing pollution issue that has seen "West Cork waters filling up with sewage" through "antiquated" infrastructure.
The star's comments come as villagers in Ballydehob have repeatedly raised the lack of a fix for the local wastewater treatment plan, saying that sewage is having a devastating impact on the area — particularly in the estuary adjacent to the village.
There have also been complaints of visible toilet paper and faeces spewing out during storm-related overflow.
Irons — one of the only actors to achieve the so-called "triple crown" of an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award — made an impassioned plea for an upgrade of Ballydehob’s wastewater treatment plant after being awarded an honorary doctorate of arts from University College Cork (UCC).
“My nearest village is Ballydehob,” he said. “When it rains, as it tends to do now and again, their antiquated sewage plant overflows and releases effluence — that is raw sewage — into our beautiful roaring water.
He said he was calling for as many people as possible to help raise awareness of the issue.
Speaking to a packed Aula Maxima in UCC, he said: “If any of you in this illustrious audience has any influence over how we run our country — academics, politicians or (heaven defend them) journalists — I would beg you to justify your education, privilege, and position by making this a priority concern."
The star, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1990 for his role in , said: “Ireland is blessed by being a magical and beautiful land, recognised across the world.
"Allowing our coastline to become littered with sewage seems a curious way to protect our population, encourage tourism, and make use of our healthy economy.
"This system was due an update 15 years ago. I read that the Government holds a healthy tax surplus.
"I plant this in your mind as I thank those who came up with the idea of bestowing this honour upon me. I also thank those amongst you who tomorrow will set up about doing whatever you can do to stop our West Cork waters filling up with sewage.”
The English actor has spent much of his career championing environmental issues.
In 2012, he travelled around the world to spotlight beautiful destinations that have been tainted by pollution. His quest formed the feature-length documentary Trashed which was directed by British filmmaker Candida Brady.
Uisce Éireann, formerly Irish Water, said earlier this month that "significant investment and progress have been made" with the delivery of critical wastewater projects benefiting the environment and local communities across Cork.
"Approximately €300m was invested in upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure in the county between 2014 and 2019.
"Uisce Éireann is investing approximately €400m in Cork during the current investment cycle (2020-2024), with over 60% of this being invested in significantly modernising and improving the overall water and wastewater infrastructure across Cork county ... We met with West Cork-based Oireachtas members and community groups on a number of occasions," a spokesperson said.