After more than a year of investigation Laois County Council invited bids last week to sell off the massive facility at Kyletalesha. Director of Services told the Leinster Express that the decision was reached because the council was losing money on the 47,000 tonne a year capacity facility. He said the council also had sell in an effort to clear a €8 million debt on the dump.

The official said councillors would have the final say on the sale but there is certain to be opposition. Cllr Willie Aird said he was against the sale but he warned that a majority of local politicans could back the plan.

Sheelagh Coyle of the Derryguile Residents Association opposed the sale. She was concerned over the future management of the dump and how this would impact local residents. She also warned the it could mean all households in Laois would have to get wheelie bins because a new operator could bring an end to the keyfob system.