The Health and Safety Authority served a prohibition notice on a company working in Drogheda after it confirmed it was demolishing a warehouse containing brown asbestos.
The authority was alerted by a telephone call on Monday morning. That afternoon it confirmed that among rubble at the premises on the South Bank, Marsh Road, Drogheda, was a quantity of the material.
The site, known locally as the Oil and Cake Mills, has been in disuse in recent times, but work began this week on knocking down a small warehouse. After the inspection, the authority served the notice on the company, South Bank Management Services, and work ceased.
Yesterday a spokesman for the authority said a contractor has advised the company on the safe disposal of the material believed to have been in tanks and pipes.
The material is harmful if disturbed or airborne but can be removed in a controlled manner. The agency is considering enforcement proceedings against the company.
Employees in nearby factories were alerted to the asbestos presence and can avail of medical advice from the authority, although it said the risk was small.
In the Seanad yesterday, Mr Fergus O'Dowd (FG), said the people of Drogheda wanted an immediate Garda investigation into all aspects of the demolition this week of the building containing brown asbestos.
He asked that the file be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
People's health must be paramount in all activities relating to asbestos, Mr O'Dowd said.
A fine of £1,500 which could be imposed by the District Court was absolutely paltry. The financial penalty on indictment should be raised to at least £100,000, he said.