Several Irish companies could face prosecution over the unlicensed export of waste to Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last night said it was investigating illegal movement of waste in recent weeks.
The container loads of waste, which included municipal refuse, were ordered to be returned to Ireland by the authorities in the Netherlands. A total of 51 containers have been returned.
A further 40 to 80 containers are being held in Antwerp, although the EPA said the Belgian authorities had not yet requested its assistance in the matter.
The EPA said nine local authorities involved were assisting in its inquiries. They are Waterford, Cork, Clare, Fingal, South Tipperary, Galway and Kerry county councils as well as Dublin and Limerick city councils.
The returned waste was sent back to the companies from where it came and was being inspected by the local authorities.
The companies could face prosecution under regulations on the illegal movement of waste.
The companies named by the EPA were Samshire Recycling Ltd, Lismore, Co Waterford; Barna Waste Disposal and Recycling Ltd, Galway; Clean (IRE) Refuse Recycling Ltd., Clare; Killarney Waste, Co Kerry, and Country Clean, Cork.
