Donegal County Council was under pressure last night to explain why rubbish, which appears to have been dumped illegally more than 15 years ago, is being unearthed by coastal erosion in sand dunes at a well-known beach, writes Linda McGrory.
The rubbish has been discovered seeping out of dunes at Five Fingers strand in Lagg, near Malin Head.
It is alleged locally that the waste, which includes plastic bottles, paper and cans, was dumped at the same time as the foundations of a wall around a public car-park were being built, some 15 years ago.
However, the county council has failed to respond to allegations that the local authority was responsible for the dumping. Two calls were made to its environmental services department this week, but no spokesman was made available.
The chairman of Inishowen Tourism, Mr John Henry McLaughlin, said last night it was difficult to ascertain how much rubbish was yet to emerge from the sand dunes.
"So far, about 10 metres of wall has been washed away by erosion, and the rubbish has been seeping out from directly under the wall's foundations.
"We don't know who dumped it, but it was very irresponsible, and to a visiting tourist it's a very bad sight to see," said Mr McLaughlin.
The dunes at Five Fingers strand have been badly affected by coastal erosion for some years. About 20 metres of the car-park area has already been washed into the sea.
The problem, which is exacerbated by stormy winter weather, has been the subject of study by researchers from the University of Ulster.
Mr McLaughlin, who is also chairman of Malin Tidy Towns Committee, fears that if the waste is not removed, Inishowen will lose its campaign to become a "Green Box" eco-tourism destination.
"We attended a meeting this week aimed at establishing Inishowen as a Green Box tourism destination. What's happening at Lagg is not going to do us any favours in this bid."
Mr McLaughlin last night urged Donegal County Council to examine the extent of the problem and to remove the dumped rubbish as a matter of urgency.
The local authority also needed to look urgently at ways to remedy the coastal erosion at Lagg, which boasts some of the highest sand dunes in Europe, but was reaching a "critical stage".
"It is difficult to do a clean-up operation because when the tide comes in it brings the waste out with it," added Mr McLaughlin.