Radioactive material from the drinks company C & C (Ireland) Ltd has mistakenly been disposed of in a landfill site, according to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII).
The institute says it is deeply concerned that radiation sources should be unaccounted for, and is considering carefully the legal implications of what happened.
C & C, of Kylemore, Dublin, reported that three gauges were inadvertently removed from its premises and disposed of as refuse in October 1999. The institute says the location of the dump cannot be established.
It says the most serious risk is that the gauges might come into the hands of unsuspecting members of the public who might force open their protective casing and expose themselves and others to the risk of serious injury.
The missing radioactive material, which has a half-life of 432 years, is in ceramic form inside a stainless steel capsule about the size of a 20p coin. This is further encased in stainless steel.
C & C said last night that systems had been set up to prevent a recurrence. It was working with the RPII to achieve a speedy conclusion.