Leitrim County Council impounded two 40-foot articulated trucks yesterday after they were suspected of being involved in dumping at a disused bone-meal plant near Dromod.
After receiving complaints, community wardens mounted surveillance at the site. The culprits arrived in Dromod yesterday to remove the rubbish from the site with three trucks and lifting equipment.
The old AIBP plant, now owned by Munster Proteins, has become derelict. The material dumped in the past week included large quantities of industrial, domestic and medical waste. Several boxes of blood bags are believed to have been found, the North Western Health Board said yesterday. "We are led to believe that the bags did not originate from any of our sources. We will, however, be keeping in close contact with authorities in Leitrim on the matter."
After the waste in the impounded trucks is inspected by council officials it will be dumped at a landfill site at Ballina in Co Mayo.
A spokesperson for Munster Proteins said yesterday it was unaware its site was being used for unlicensed dumping. "We vehemently object to the use of the site for this purpose. We also object to trespassing on our site."
The council said it was taking the matter very seriously and would pursue the matter with the full rigours of the law.