This wouldn’t go down well.
The British government is reportedly investigating the possibility of installing a radioactive waste facility in Newry and the surrounding area of the Mourne Mountains.
A Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) report published on Gov.uk in December 2018 has been brought to light at local level in recent days by Carlingford Lough campaigning group Love Your Lough.
The document highlights the UK’s commitment to geological disposal, noting their intention to provide “a safe and secure long-term solution for the disposal of higher activity radioactive waste” as part of as one of their largest ever environmental protection endeavour.
Newry is one of four areas in Northern Ireland that have been deemed potentially suitable for a geological disposal facility (GDF), with the granite rock terrain in the area believed to make for favourable foundations.
Clip via rwm_gdf_uk
13 regions in total are currently under investigation throughout the UK.
Also up for consideration in Northern Ireland are locations in Tyrone, Derry, Antrim and one such area between Belfast and Larne.
Earlier this week, the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council passed an emergency motion, unanimously declaring opposition towards the construction of any GDF in its locality.
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard is among those decrying the project.
“Britain cannot use the north as a dumping ground for this hazardous and toxic material,” he said.
“Not only would this have dire consequences for our environment but it would also pose a serious health risk to the population.”
The full RWM report is available to read here.
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