A coastguard helicopter will this morning resume monitoring three separate oil slicks in Dublin Bay. They were described by the Department of the Marine as "not heavy oils and not environmentally threatening".
The slicks were reported by aircraft to the air traffic control unit at Dublin airport at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. The first was 17 miles east of Lambay Island, measuring 300 m by 200 m. The second slick was said to be about five miles long, stretching from one mile east of Howth to close to Dalkey. The third slick, 20 m by three, was said to be 1.5 miles east of Dun Laoghaire.
A Department of the Marine spokesman said any slick was taken seriously and would be investigated fully. It is thought that a ship may have washed its tanks, leading to the incidents.
He was remanded until September 15th on his own bail of £250.