Concern at plan to burn deadly gas near beauty spot

WICKLOW councillors have expressed concern at plans by a pest control group to burn batches of hydrogen cyanide — a deadly chemical once used by the Nazis — on the fringes of a national park.

Rentokil say they have no choice but to use a small detonator and diesel on army lands to destroy the poisonous chemicals, which have been sitting in cylinders for several years.

Environment Minister John Gormley was criticised last night for facilitating the operation on the edge of Wicklow’s national park and near water supplies feeding Dublin.

Seven cylinders, used before to fumigate buildings and ships, are being stored by Rentokil in Dublin. The pest control group said it had approached the Department of Environment as there were no facilities to destroy the lethal chemicals.

Rentokil managing director Mike O’Mahoney said: “Following changes to EU legislation we undertook an audit... which is when we discovered the material.”

The army is allowing Bactec, a British company, burn the chemicals on its Kilbride firing range in west Wicklow. South Dublin County Council, leading the operation, said all sides knew there was “a potential hazard”, but “every precaution” was being taken.

The fire brigade, gardaí, & HSE, EPA and Wicklow County Council are assisting. It is expected the material will be burned the week of June 24.

Local politicians criticised the move to burn the chemicals, used as weapons in the WWI and in the Iran/Iraq war.

“These chemicals will be burnt with a river nearby leading into the Blessington Lakes,” said SF councillor John Brady. “Why did the minister allow this? It is lethal stuff. He’s supposed to be opposed to incineration.”

Fine Gael’s Billy Timmins warned it was important authorities kept locals fully informed.