Asbestos dumped near water source

An illegal dump containing asbestos has been discovered on the banks of one of Cork’s major sources of drinking water.

The site is alongside the Carrigadrohid reservoir on the outskirts of Macroom and was found on land owned by the ESB. Work has been ongoing to ship the material off site and take it to Germany, where it can be destroyed safely.

Because of the manner in which the material was dumped and the amount involved, those working on the site believe it is “extremely unlikely” to pose a public health risk.