Quarrying and landfilling at Whitestown, near Baltinglass, continued yesterday, as experts sifted through illegally dumped hospital waste in one corner of the site.
The quarry, which covers about 10 acres, includes a number of different holdings, and quarry operators about whom no suggestion of impropriety has been made.
At the entrance to Mr John Reilly's sand and gravel pit, however, garda∅ turned away television and press reporters and cameramen and placed warning signs of a bio-hazard.
Extensive earthworks were in place at the site which lies at the northern end of the quarry.
A deep and extensive trench was visible, partly covered by soil. This was the focus for council staff. About 500 metres from the trench was a stream, a tributary of the Slaney river.
A woman on an adjoining property said the arrival of the council, garda∅ and media had been a shock.
"We thought the council had given John Reilly's place the okay."
She and other neighbours found the reports of hospital waste disturbing. "I have four children here," she said, indicating the open terrain.
Mr Frank Corcoran of the local branch of An Taisce said people were angry another incidence of hospital waste had been discovered. "We live here and we see the lorries going around carrying waste. There is no authorised dump around here. Where are all the lorries going?"
The EPA should insist that councils take their cases to higher courts as fines in the district court had in the past worked out at about 40 pence a tonne, he said. "This makes it economical for hauliers to keep dumping."
Labour councillor for west Wicklow Mr Tommy Cullen said he was very disappointed at the find. He said he was not surprised as people have been reporting this dump to the council for years.