Gardaí are following a "definite line of inquiry" after up to 30 tonnes of waste was illegally dumped down a country laneway in Co Louth.
The lorry believed to have been used to transport the rubbish to the secluded location has been seized by gardaí who came on the scene as the waste being dumped.
It included household and builders' rubbish, estimated to be in the region of 25 to 30 tonnes.
The lorry has been taken to a secure location for a technical examination.
The alleged driver of the lorry fled across nearby fields but despite no arrests being made so far, gardaí said they are following a definite line of inquiry.
The lane, off the Doyle's Fort Road, Dundalk, has now been sealed off by Louth County Council and the removal and proper disposal of the waste will begin next week by either council staff or contractors.
The incident happened around 8.30pm last night.
Garda Superintendent Gerry Curley of Dundalk Garda Station confirmed an investigation is under way.
"We are working on identifying who is responsible," he said.
The dumping has been condemned by local Sinn Féin TD Ruairi O'Murchu.
"It is utterly reprehensible," he said. "We have had a huge amount of voluntary organisation like Tidy Towns and residents' associations doing fabulous work and it is absolutely undermined by actions like this."
The area has now been sealed off by Louth County Council workers.
