This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7542135.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Smuggling link to lake pollution Smuggling link to lake pollution
(about 3 hours later)
A fuel laundering plant has been discovered near a County Armagh lake, HM Revenue and Customs has said.A fuel laundering plant has been discovered near a County Armagh lake, HM Revenue and Customs has said.
A significant amount of red diesel was reported in the lake by a caller to the water pollution hotline last Thursday.A significant amount of red diesel was reported in the lake by a caller to the water pollution hotline last Thursday.
HMRC said it thought the plant was capable of producing 21,000 litres a week, a potential revenue of £10,000.HMRC said it thought the plant was capable of producing 21,000 litres a week, a potential revenue of £10,000.
The Environment Agency had previously said it believed pollution at Lowry's Lake in Hamiltonsbawn may have been linked to fuel smuggling.The Environment Agency had previously said it believed pollution at Lowry's Lake in Hamiltonsbawn may have been linked to fuel smuggling.
A spokesman from HMRC said investigations were continuing into the discovery.A spokesman from HMRC said investigations were continuing into the discovery.
"This incident illustrates the devastating polluting effect that the trade of laundering and storing illicit fuel can have on the environment," he said."This incident illustrates the devastating polluting effect that the trade of laundering and storing illicit fuel can have on the environment," he said.
"We will continue to work closely with other organisations such as the NI Environment Agency, to ensure that such activity is sought out.""We will continue to work closely with other organisations such as the NI Environment Agency, to ensure that such activity is sought out."
The Environment Agency placed oil absorbent booms in a tributary feeding the lake in an attempt to stop more oil from leaking into it.The Environment Agency placed oil absorbent booms in a tributary feeding the lake in an attempt to stop more oil from leaking into it.
Booms were used to stop the oil from spreading
Ian Needham from the agency said its quick action avoided a fish kill.Ian Needham from the agency said its quick action avoided a fish kill.
"I think, with a reasonably rapid response and the deployment of anti-pollution equipment, we've avoided a more serious incident," he said."I think, with a reasonably rapid response and the deployment of anti-pollution equipment, we've avoided a more serious incident," he said.
"Thankfully there doesn't seem to have been any fish mortalities.""Thankfully there doesn't seem to have been any fish mortalities."
A specialist clean-up company has been employed to remove the oil from the lake.A specialist clean-up company has been employed to remove the oil from the lake.