An area of land near Dundalk is being searched following the discovery of toxic diesel sludge left over from laundering operations.
Environmental staff from Louth County Council, backed up by gardaí and officials from the Department of Agriculture and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, spent yesterday at the site after finding what appeared to be a large pond of diesel sludge.
The initial search also revealed signs that animal carcasses, tyres and building waste had been dumped on the 140-acre site close to the village of Knockbridge.
Material was removed from the site and is to be tested to establish what exactly has been dumped there over a period of time.
Because the site is located within 1km of the Cavan Hill water treatment plant, Louth County Council has conducted additional testing to ensure there has been no harmful impact on the water supply to households in Dundalk and its environs.
The water treated at Cavan Hill is taken from the River Fane upstream of the site and, according to a spokesperson, there has been no contamination of the water supply.
Additional steps to reduce the risk of pollution are being taken by removing what is believed to be oil and diesel sludge from the site with the focus of today's activity to be on environmental protection.
Des Foley, Director of Services with Louth Local Authorities, said that once their work on site is completed, there will be two separate but related phases - the collation of evidence with a view to a possible prosecution and planning for extensive remedial works on the land which may have been damaged significantly.
''For the moment, we are keen to reassure the public that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the activity that we suspect may have taken place at this location has impacted adversely on the water going to and from the treatment plant nearby," Mr Foley said.
Sinn Féin Councillor Tomás Sharkey has welcomed the operation and praised individuals from the area who highlighted the problem.
"They deserve the thanks of the whole community. They are helping to stop environmental terrorism," he said.
