Environmental Trust Ireland

Environmental Trust Ireland is an Independent, philanthropic  voluntary environmental organization comprised entirely of volunteers which is committed to environmental protection, biodiversity preservation, ecological crisis prevention based in Limerick and active throughout  Ireland.

Environmental Trust Ireland is a voice for the environment and the protection of human health. Independent of political, commercial and industrial interests. It exists to defend the natural environment where it is under threat and to safeguard communities for environmental harm.

 Environmental  Trust Ireland provides voluntary social services and  voluntary social activities and it speaks for and is the voice of the environment. The organisation is focused on safeguarding the environment, biodiversity, wildlife ecosystems and  heritage.

 Environmental Trust Ireland was established in March 2019. It is an independent organisation comprised solely of volunteers.  Its President is co-founder and Solicitor, Michelle Hayes who is also a practising Solicitor in a  law firm based in Limerick.

The organisation promotes environmental stewardship, compliance with environmental law and meaningful public participation in environmental decision-making.

Environmental Trust Ireland operates on a voluntary basis. Environmental Trust Ireland does not receive any outside funding and is truly independent in carrying  out its activities. It functions as an unincorporated environmental organisation committed to protecting the environment and advancing the public interest in environmental matters.

A significant part of the organisation's work involves engaging with environmental, planning and regulatory processes. Environmental Trust Ireland makes submissions and observations to public authorities and regulatory bodies, including local authorities, An Coimisiun Pleanala and other decision-making bodies, on matters that may affect the environment. Through this work, the organisation seeks to ensure that environmental considerations, legal obligations and principles of sustainable developments are properly taken into account in public decision making.

The organisation is active on broad range environmental issues, including environmental protection, biodiversity, conservation and environmental governance.

Where necessary, Environmental Trust Ireland also participates in legal proceedings concerning environmental matters. It has been involved in significant environmental cases, including judicial review proceedings relating to the expansion of the bauxite disposal area at  Aughinish Alumina in County Limerick and other major environmental and planning decisions. These cases reflect the organisation's commitment to ensuring that environmental laws and protections are properly applied and enforced.

Examples of environmental protection work conducted by Environmental Trust Ireland:

Environmental Trust Ireland successfully took Judicial Review Proceedings against the expansion of the  Aughinish Alumina red mud bauxite waste disposal area and against the expansion of the quarry blasting area which concluded in 2023.  Since then, An Bord (Coimisiun) Pleanala has again granted planning permission to Aughinish Alumina permitting the bauxite residue  waste area expansion and the quarry pit expansion.  Environmental Trust Ireland has opposed this expansion for the second time and is awaiting a Judgment from the High Court.   Environmental Trust Ireland had raised concerns in the planning process that it is "an environmental disaster waiting to happen" 

LANDMARK  HIGH COURT JUDGMENT AGAINST  AUGHINISH  EXPANSION:

Environmental Trust Ireland v An Coimisiun Pleanala and Aughinish Alumina 2026

The High Court struck down Aughinish Alumina expansion in major victory for Environmental Trust Ireland.  

 The Court quashed the Aughinish Alumina planning permission on grounds relating to seepage from the BRDA and flood risk assessment. Limerick based Environmental Trust Ireland stood alone in challenging this development for the second time. Without ETI, there would have been no case before the  Court and no scrutiny of the significant environmental issues raised. 

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/0622/1579674-high-court-quashes-green-light-for-aughinish-extension/

 Limerick environmental group halts expansion of Aughinish 'red mud' area 

Planners refuse proposed €100m biomethane plant in County Limerick - Ireland Live 

OCEI - Environmental Trust Ireland and Limerick City and County Council 

Plan to restrict judicial reviews branded ‘attack on the rule of law’ | Irish Legal News 

Environmental Trust Ireland

3 Glentworth Street,

Limerick.

Contact:

Email: environmentaltrustireland@gmail.com