A search operation is under way on a 140 acre site in Co Louth for buried diesel sludge.
The operation is led by staff from the environmental office in Louth County Council backed up by gardaí, Revenue officials as well as staff from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food and the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
They are searching the site near Knockbridge, close to the Cavan Hill water treatment plant, which supplies water to much of Dundalk.
They are looking to see if the highly-toxic sludge, which is left after the coloured dye is removed from agricultural diesel, has been buried on the land.
Des Foley, Director of Services, Louth Local Authorities, said: "This very much remains an ongoing operation and is an important part of a live investigation that we have been involved with for some time.
"When we complete our work on the site, there is likely to be a further period while we await the results from laboratories of various sample tests and analyses.
"At that stage, we may move towards a prosecution but any decisions in that regard are for another day and it would be premature to comment in that regard at this time."
