EPA did not contact firm on day of toxic spillage

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) admitted last night that no one from its agency spoke to the company which leaked 252 tonnes of caustic waste into Cork Harbour on July 3.

The EPA last night confirmed "nobody from the EPA" had spoken to ADM Ringaskiddy until Monday, July 4, when two people went to inspect the plant 36 hours after the spillage.

The admission by the State environmental watchdog is contrary its earlier explanations, which said a public health warning was not issued because a senior official assessed the situation during a telephone conversation with ADM on the morning of the spillage.