A FARMER WHO kept 4 kilograms of cyanide in his shed for 45 years was ‘delighted’ to hand over the stash of killer chemicals.
The man had initially purchased the poison to kill rabbits on his farm and had forgotten about it over time.
But after discovering it, the man brought it down to a local hazardous waste collection drive in Roscommon where it was disposed of.
Experts said it had the potential to kill 65,000 people.
Environmental officer with Roscommon council Suzanne Dempsey told Shannonside radio: “We were delighted it was taken off the farm and so was he. He had it there for 45 years in his shed, would you believe it?
“He had originally bought it for killing rabbits on his farm but it’s a huge quantity. They are very toxic chemicals.
The toxic expert on the day said the amount was enough to wipe out most of the county.
Environment Minister Denis Naughten had urged farmers to bring down any potentially dangerous chemicals which would have been disposed of correctly.
However, he wasn’t expecting the 4kg of cyanide to turn up.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are carrying out nationwide events where farmers can get rid of potentially hazardous waste for free.
You can find out more information here.
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