Between 2002 and 2004 thousands of tonnes of waste was illegally dumped by criminal gangs who made millions by ignoring waste regulations.

The waste was often dumped on farm land or in parks and often caused pollution to waters courses.

Yesterday (August 3) under an agreement between the Irish Government and Northern Ireland Executive the waste is being removed from Fermanagh and will be legally disposed of in Donegal.

Through the agreement the Irish Government will pay 80% of the cost of removing the waste with the Executive paying the remaining costs.

There are more than 20 sites identified as part of the agreement and work will take place to remove the waste on all of them.

It is estimated it will take about five years for all of the waste to be removed.

Ireland’s environment minister, John Gormley, said: “What we are now doing is facing up to our responsibilities to bring the waste back for proper disposal.”

Luke Walsh

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