Diesel smugglers endangering health

The council discovered the drums in ditches

by BBC NI environment correspondent Mike McKimm

Several tons of toxic chemicals used by diesel fuel smugglers have been found dumped in ditches and beside streams in County Tyrone.

The chemicals are used by criminal gangs to modify subsidised diesel destined for agricultural use.

After removing the red marker dye with acids and other chemicals, the diesel is sold on as conventional fuel.

The practice nets a huge profit for the gangs, who are known to have paramilitary connections.

It is thought that recent Customs and Excise activity led to panic and the criminals simply dumped the evidence.

Clean-up costs

But some of the drums have leaked their deadly contents into local waterways including an important peatland bog.

Local councils have the task of clearing it all up at a cost of thousands of pounds to the ratepayers.

Many fear that considerable environmental damage has already been done.

Some of the drums have been found near lanes and roads used by children going to and from school near Dungannon.

The council's director of environmental health, Alan Burke described the drums were "absolute killers - whether for individuals or the environment".

Alan Burke says children are at risk

"Children can very easily come into contact with these drums and, being inquisitive by nature, could easily take off one of the caps and there would be horrendous consequences."

The mayor of Dungannon council, Francis Molloy, who fears for the safety of an inquisitive child finding one of the drums, has criticised the diesel smugglers and appealed to local motorists not to buy the cheap fuel.

He said: "The bill for disposing of the material on this occasion was over £1,000. The ratepayers of Dungannon are going to have to absorb this.

"It is unfair to the ratepayers and unfair to the people who are in business in a legitimate way.

"For children to come into contact with the material could mean death for them," added Mr Molloy.

Engines damaged

Local garages have also reported a busy time, repairing the engines of diesel cars which have been damaged from using the adulterated fuel.

The acid that is left behind destroys the diesel pumps and injectors in the engine and motorists, trying to save money on fuel, have had to pay out hundreds of pounds for repairs.

The dumping of drums of chemicals is widespread in areas near the border.

No remote area is safe and the drums have even turned up in forests and rivers around the picturesque Mourne Mountains in County Down.