LawPod30 Jun 2025

River Faughan: The Struggle for Legal Personhood

In this special episode Katie O’Doherty delves into the illegal waste dumping scandal at the Mobuoy dump near the River Faughan in Northern Ireland, a scandal described by Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir as a "sophisticated and deliberate environmental crime of unprecedented scale”.

It explores the background of this large scale environmental crime, discussing systemic failures and the roles of governmental agencies. Interviews with environmental activists James Orr from Friends of the Earth and Dean Blackwood from the River Faughan Anglers and The Environmental Gathering shed light on the significance of the recent sentencing of two company directors, the importance of the first “Victim Personal Statement” given by a river in Northern Ireland, and ongoing calls for a public inquiry.

The discussion also touches on the broader implications for environmental governance, the need for recognising the rights of nature, and the systemic issues impacting environmental protection in post-conflict societies.

Throughout the episode you will hear excerpts of the Victim Personal Statement on behalf of the river that was put to music by students from Lawpod – The statement was submitted as part of court proceedings prior to sentencing.

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/northern-ireland

https://www.faughan.org

https://www.ursulaburns.co.uk/post/13-riot-police-and-a-harp

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c365yn4d907o

https://youtu.be/RMj8w7Zbls4

Thanks to Lawpod Students Katie O’Doherty Presenter and Narrator

Eva Richards – Cello

Alexandra Elizabeth Morar – Violin

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