Possible landfill sites identified

Despite plans to recycle up to 60 per cent of Dublin's waste, new landfill facilities will be needed, probably one north of the Liffey and another south of the river. A more pressing problem with current landfills will have to be confronted in the short term, according to waste consultants advising local authorities in the region.

A shortlist of eight possible sites was issued yesterday, when it emerged that a crisis will require an extension to the controversial Balleally landfill in north Co Dublin before its closure in December 2004.

Meanwhile, plans are at an advanced stage to extend kerb-side collection of "dry recyclables" such as aluminium cans, cardboard/paper and bottles to 80 per cent of households, said Mr Matt Twomey, chairman of the steering group set up by the four local authorities in Dublin to implement its waste strategy plan.

Five of the possible new landfills are in Fingal, two in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and one in South Dublin local authority areas. The sites to be investigated in Fingal are: Loughbarn, south-west of Skerries; Loughmain/ Brownstown, south of the Naul; Palmerstown on the Ashbourne side of the N2; Tooman and Annsbrook, both of which are south of Balrothery near the Balbriggan by-pass.

In Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, a site at Phrompstown, Ballyman and Old Connaught townlands west of Bray and another at the location of an old lead mine uphill from Kilternan at Kingston, Johnstown and Ballycorus townlands are to be investigated. The South Dublin option is Corrageen beside the former landfill at Friarstown in Tallaght.