Staff from the Southern Regional Fisheries Board were yesterday estimating the cost of a major fish kill on the Suir river.
Local fishermen had been expecting to reap the benefits from a restocking next Sunday when a major fly-fishing competition was to take place along what is now a contaminated stretch of water.
A seven-mile stretch between Clonmore and Loughmore in north Tipperary was polluted late on Tuesday evening by what initially appeared to be farmyard effluent.
According to Mr Jim Haffey, of the Templemore and District Anglers Association, trout stocks have been wiped out along the affected length of river.
Last night experts from the Southern Fisheries Board said it was too early to quantify the kill and apportion blame. They appealed to people to be extra careful in disposing of domestic and industrial waste during the current dry spell, when water levels are at their lowest and the risk of pollution is greatest.
