Tides could spread toxic waste

TIDE movement on Cork harbour would mean that any potential chemical waste from the former Irish Steel plant is effectively swirled around the harbour.

In navigational terms, Cork harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world — just behind Sydney.

According to Eddie English, who runs the renowned SailCork school and navigates the harbour every day, the potential human fallout from waste leaching into the water would be “significant”, due to the harbour’s tidal patterns.