“We consider it as one of her most significant statements on the waste smell and unsustainable waste import issue to date.”
A “last-minute” drop out of a council chairperson and a change of theme to a first-ever Newry recycling conference has raised questions over Sinn Féin’s absence.
Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade held its inaugural ‘Sustainability Conference & Expo’ last month (May 28) with one of its sponsors being Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
Recycling company Re-Gen’s chief executive was a key panellist at the event. His company has been involved in a long-running defence of its position over allegations of a bad smell in Warrenpoint, with contested claims it is linked to its waste bales being exported from the harbour port, a matter which Sinn Féin has “publicly opposed”.
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Campaigners RARE (Rostrevor Action Respecting the Environment) spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), saying: “The last-minute changes to the conference programme included the removal of the event’s number one theme, ‘The Future of Recycling in Northern Ireland’, and the withdrawal of the council chairman from opening or even attending the event.
“A response letter from MLA Sinéad Ennis on the day of the re-jigged conference explains how Sinn Féin’s position regarding Re-Gen remains unchanged since last summer.
“We consider it as one of her most significant statements on the waste smell and unsustainable waste import issue to date.
“With reports coming in to us recently of people on Warrenpoint’s splendid seafront covering their mouths from the waste stench floating into the town, there is no better time for Sinn Féin to show that the voice of Sinéad Ennis is not a lone one.”
At the time of the Newry Chamber event, Sinn Féin’s Philip Campbell held the chairperson’s position at the council.
The deputy chairperson can be put forward when the chairperson is not available.
At the time, that position was also held by Sinn Féin’s Geraldine Kearns. Neither attended.
The LDRS has seen the emailed letter from South Down MLA Sinéad Ennis regarding the non-attendance at the Newry Chamber event.
In it she stated: “I can confirm that Councillor Philip Campbell did not attend the Newry Chamber Sustainability conference and therefore did not open the event.
“Sinn Féin’s opposition to the Re-Gen facility at Warrenpoint Port is long-standing and a matter of public record.”
The LDRS contacted Sinn Féin on the absence of the party’s council chairperson and why the deputy council chairperson did not take his place to provide a “welcome” speech as listed on the event programme.
Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA) generated a community forum in 2024 after facing heavy local criticism over a perceived bad odour from its port since 2023.
In 2025, Sinn Féin withdrew from the WHA board amid concerns over the bad smell in the seaside town.
It has been claimed that tonnes of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) from Newry waste management company Re-Gen awaiting shipment for incineration has caused a “disgusting stench”.
In September last year, WHA stated that it had extensive engagement with Re-Gen, with the Newry company agreeing to remove all RDF from the port with a proposal to no longer store the waste there, but instead transport it directly to ships for export.
Only Solid Recovered Fuel was to be stored in the future on the site, which the WHA was told should be non-odorous.
The LDRS contacted Re-Gen, with a spokesperson referring to the company’s public comments on the event, which read: “We’re proud to have supported the conference as sponsors and to be part of the conversation around sustainability, innovation and the future of business in the Greater Newry area.”
As well as the council chairperson’s non-attendance, one of the programme’s themes was changed from ‘The Future of Recycling in Northern Ireland’ to the new theme ‘Recycling & Waste Reduction’.
Chief executive of Newry Chamber, Michael Savage, said: “We were informed the day before the event that the council chairperson was unavailable for the event, and we did not ask for a replacement from the council.
“We regularly have last-minute withdrawals for the many events we host throughout the year and adapt the agenda to facilitate this.
“The programmes and themes for all elements of our events are subject to change and are frequently updated in the run-up to the event.
“This was Newry Chamber’s Inaugural Sustainability Conference & Expo and we are delighted to say it was a fantastic success, with excellent speakers and exhibitors and a large attendance.
“We are looking forward to building on the success of this year’s event and delivering Newry Chamber’s Sustainability Conference and Expo 2027.”
A council spokesperson added: “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council places a high value on opportunities to engage with stakeholders and to contribute to important sector conversations.
“It is regrettable that we were unable to do so on this occasion.
“We fully recognise the inconvenience and disappointment this may cause to organisers, delegates and partners and we sincerely apologise.
“We remain supportive of the conference’s objectives and we thank the organisers for their understanding on this matter.”
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