Plans for waste disposal by Clare County Council have been disrupted after a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to close the county's only landfill site.
The council is to appeal the EPA decision, which is expected to have major implications for Kerry and Limerick County Councils.
In a joint Waste Management Plan adopted by the three counties last June, Kerry and Limerick councils agreed to take waste from Clare in the interim period following the then anticipated closure of Clare's only existing landfill at Doora, outside Ennis, next June and the opening of the county's new landfill at Inagh.
However, following the EPA's decision, the closure is now expected to take place next February.
The two councils could be asked to accept 50,000 tonnes of waste per annum from Clare.
The EPA concluded the site was unsuitable for landfill and any continuation may continue to cause environmental pollution, adding that groundwater pollution has been found in the vicinity of the landfill.
The EPA's inspector's report found the presence of trace levels of mercury, cadmium and elevated ammonia levels at an agricultural supply well about 500 metres south of the facility.
The landfill was established in 1956 on a flood-plain of the River Fergus, a short distance outside Ennis.
It was due to close next June following a successful High Court action taken by 14 local residents.
