FUEL RACKETEERS on the Monaghan border with south Armagh caused traffic chaos yesterday after dumping huge consignments of sludge from laundered diesel on a number of routes in south Monaghan, including the N2 Dublin-Derry road near Carrickmacross.
Fire services from Carrickmacross and Castleblayney were called to dumping sites to prevent oil slicks developing which would have posed serious traffic hazards.
Gardaí had to divert traffic at Donaghmoyne on the N2, about four miles from Carrickmacross, where a 40ft trailer containing sludge was abandoned on the roadside. Sludge was also dumped on routes near Inniskeen and Cullaville.
An environmental team from Monaghan County Council alerted the Garda and emergency services after motorists reported dumping that had taken place on Thursday night or early yesterday morning.
A council spokesman said there were also fears of waterways and farmland being contaminated.
The removal of sludge from roads in the area cost Monaghan and Louth county councils in excess of €3.5 million last year.
Gardaí said yesterday’s clean- up could take several hours.