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.