Wicklow County Council has been investigating more than 100 cases of illegal dumping in the county since last September, writes Tim O'Brien, Regional Development Correspondent.
The dumps, at least 20 of which are in the Baltinglass/Blessington and Manor Kilbride area of west Wicklow, were part of a list released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act.
The list and accompanying notes reveal the council was investigating dumping at Coolamadra as early as last August, some two months before the discovery of hospital waste on the site.
The list makes reference to Whitestown Quarry, where hospital waste was discovered on Wednesday.