The future of North Cork Creameries’ processing plant in Kanturk hangs in the balance this week, as the co-op continues to seek finance to carry out necessary upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant.

Chair of the co-op Thomas O’ Donoghue stepped down from his position this week in what the Irish Farmers Journal understands is over a disagreement with the future direction of the co-op. Seán Morrisson is now the chair of the co-op.

It is also understood that the treatment plant requires an investment of up to €5m, although co-op management previously denied that this level of funding was required to get the treatment plant compliant.

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However, the most recent enforced shut-down by the EPA, which took place on 19 February, has come as a major blow to the co-op as it tries to secure bank funding to carry out the necessary works.

Just prior to the latest shut-down, the co-op had signed an agreement with Carbery Group to process “a significant volume of milk in 2026”.

It is understood that North Cork had hoped to process some milk at Kanturk in 2026, presumably to manufacture its Ór branded retail butter.

However, with the EPA now suspending its discharge licence, that now looks unlikely, at least in the short term.

Concerns are now growing in Kanturk and surrounding districts over the prospect of layoffs and job cuts at the milk plant.

Suppliers contacted by the Irish Farmers Journal this week say that they have heard nothing from co-op management in relation to their plans for the business.

Two heated information meetings for suppliers took place in early December 2025, with more information meetings promised but not yet confirmed in early 2026.

North Cork CEO Pat Sheahan left the company at the end of October with interim CEO Michael Cronin taking up the reins since then. Cronin is also a board member of Bord Bia. The co-op has declined to comment to the Irish Farmers Journal.