An inquest into the death of a former Bord na Mona employee, who died from an asbestos-related cancer, heard claims today the deceased was exposed to asbestos while working at one of the company’s briquette factories over 50 years ago.

The Bord na Móna group of unions says it “does not accept” the decision by the company to close its peat briquette plant in Littleton, Co Tipperary, which will lead to the loss of 69 jobs.

The cold snap is seeing householders snapping up peat briquettes as demand for the fuel soared by 67% in March.