Marc Willers KC represents Declan Conlon, instructed by Enda McGarrity of P.A. Duffy & Co. Solicitors. Acland Bryant represents interveners River Action, instructed by Ricardo Gama of Leigh Day.
Eel fisherman Declan Conlon has brought a judicial review against the NI Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) over its duties to protect Loch Neagh from nutrient pollution and to protect his livelihood.
Marc Willers KC has been instructed by Enda McGarrity of P.A. Duffy & Co. Solicitors to represent Declan Conlon in the proceedings (together with junior counsel Aidan McGowan) and will argue that DAERA has failed to act despite clear evidence of the ecological collapse of Lough Neagh.
Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland is an internationally protected site and is the UK’s largest lake by surface area.
The lake is experiencing ecological collapse and harm to local wildlife due to phosphorus and nitrogen from agriculture, including farm runoff, fertilisers and animal waste, as well as inadequate wastewater treatment facilities and septic tank leakage, as reported by The Guardian.
Garden Court barrister Acland Bryant is representing campaign group River Action who are intervening in the judicial review. Acland is instructed by Ricardo Gama of Leigh Day and is led by David Wolf KC
Read Enda McGarrity’s article in River Action on the impact of the pollution and why Declan Conlon has brought this challenge.
To instruct Marc Willers KC or Acland Bryant, please email: publiclawclerks@gclaw.co.uk
