Poisonous sludge seeps into hillside as diesel dumpers scale Flagstaff Viewpoint

Poisonous sludge spills into the hillside at one of the area’s most popular beauty spots.

Flagstaff Viewpoint draws thousands of tourists annually for the spectacular scenes which it commands far beyond Newry.

But its breathtaking beauty has been marred by those whose chief goal is to make money at the expense of their own community.

People travel to Flagstaff to enjoy an unspoiled view over Carlingford Lough. Yet there were those who travelled for an entirely different reason, whose intention was quite simply to spoil.

Toxic cubes have been driven to this Viewpoint, in what has been branded an act of “environmental crime” by a local councillor.

Sinn Féin Newry, Mourne & Down Councillor Liz Kimmins has said those responsible have “no for the community or the environment”.

“This is an act of environmental crime which has angered the local community,” she said. “Those engaged in dumping their toxic sludge with no respect or care about its potential poisonous impact are motivated by greed.

“I have contacted the council and asked them to liaise with the Environment Agency to ensure that the area is cleared as soon as practicably possible.

“Unfortunately the cost of this operation will have to be picked up by the ratepayers.

“Those engaged in this type of environmental crime need to be apprehended.”