Toxic fuel dumped on farm by smugglers

An investigation is underway after thousands of litres of deadly toxic waste was discovered dumped on a farm in Co Monaghan.

Gardaí believe the substance was being used by cross border fuel smugglers, to remove the colouring from diesel fuel.

Gardaí and environmental officers visited a road-side farm in Drumleek, about three miles from Castleblaney where they found 5,000 litres of acid and several containers of cat litter, which is used as a run-through for coloured diesel.

They said they believed the containers were dumped there from a tractor and trailer during the night.

Officials fear the highly dangerous substance could pose a serious threat to local water sources.

The area has several river tributaries that flow into Lough Muckno, which provides water supplies to hundreds of homes.

A spokesperson for Monaghan County Council said that the teams are working to eliminate the environmental threat.

He said that the dumping of these acids by the smuggler gangs that are doctoring fuel along the border has cost the council more than €750,000 in the past year.