A Wicklow County Council official who was interviewed by his employers in connection with illegal dumping in west Wicklow has been found dead.
Mr John Mullins snr, who was the council's overseer in the west Wicklow areas where much of the recent illegal dumping was discovered, was found dead at his home at Blacklion, near Dunlavin, at about 4 p.m. yesterday.
The council had interviewed Mr Mullins over the dumping controversy and subsequently issued a statement that all staff had "co-operated very fully" with their inquiry.
The council also interviewed Mr Mullins's son, Mr John Mullins jnr, who drove some of the lorries which dumped in the illegal dumps in the area.
Following the discovery of the extent of illegal dumping in Wicklow, the council had prepared criminal proceedings against those involved and that action is pending.
Removal of the waste, some of which was hospital waste including blood products, was estimated to cost tens of millions of pounds late last year as leechate from the dumps had contaminated a tributary of the Slaney River and other waste material in the dumps.
Given the extent of the dumps discovered, the latest of which was revealed yesterday, the council investigations are thought to have examined how so many lorries could have been dumping literally hundreds of tonnes of waste over many years, with apparent impunity.
Recently, haulage contractors in the area protested outside the offices of Wicklow County Council and the Dáil at the closure of the illegal dumps, claiming their livelihoods were being damaged.
Last night, the acting Wicklow County Secretary, Mr Liam Fitzpatrick, said the council's thoughts and feelings were with the Mullins family.
The only comment the council wanted to make was that it wished "he may rest in peace".
Illegal dumping has not only been a problem in Co Wicklow.
It has occurred in many parts of the State but Wicklow, because of its proximity to Dublin, has been a particular target.
Gardaí indicated last night that they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.