Hazardous waste has been found among the hundreds of tonnes of commercial and domestic rubbish left behind last weekend by Travellers who vacated a GAA pitch in south Co Dublin.
Specialist waste-handlers are being brought in to dispose of up to three tonnes of asbestos, a potentially carcinogenic substance which is a health hazard if its are particles inhaled.
Officials estimated that the specialist disposal of the waste would increase the cost of clearing the field at Cherryfield, Knocklyon, from £60,000 to more than £70,000.
Mr Paul Smyth, of South Dublin County Council's Traveller Accommodation Unit, said that the asbestos roofing and guttering from old industrial buildings would have to be bagged before being removed. About 60 caravans had camped illegally on the site for several weeks until last Sunday.
The waste will be shipped to Germany for disposal, according to Mr Smyth. The rest of the debris, including vehicles, furniture and washing machines, is to be cleared next week.
Mr Smyth said that the field was fenced off and was not considered a public health risk.