Almost 30,000 litres of illicit alcohol seized
In the wake of the seizure, both customs officers and the Food Safety Authority warned about the dangers of consuming alcohol from such sources. Earlier this year, 21 people died in the Czech Republic after drinking alcohol mixed with methanol.
The alcohol discovered yesterday was tested and found to be 96% proof. It was in 11 large, white plastic containers which each held 1,000 litres. The containers are traditionally used by smugglers to hold toxic waste left over from diesel laundering.
The alcohol appeared to be contaminated and black specks of an unidentified origin were floating in it.
The containers were found by gardaí during a search of a warehouse near Dunleer, Co Louth.
The scene was examined by Seán Kelleher, assistant principal officer with the Revenue Commissioners, who said the alcohol was sufficient to produce the equivalent of 28,000 litres of spirits such as vodka or gin.
That was based on it being diluted two-and-a- half times to the standard alcohol content of a spirit. It is not yet known where the alcohol originated.
