Revealed: Toxic waste found in 100 mines

AT least 100 old mines have been identified with varying levels of contamination and in need of remediation similar to the Haulbowline toxic site in Cork harbour.

Following pressure from opposition politicians, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has agreed to publish the list of sites, which “are classed from minor to significant”.

The agency said none are as dangerous as the former Irish Steel site, exposed in the Irish Examiner last month, which had 500,000 tonnes of toxic waste.