The dispute on Irish Cement's plans to burn used tyres at its Castlemungret plant look set to end up in the High Court as residents seek to prevent the implementation of the EUR10m project.

Members of Limerick Against Pollution (LAP) protested outside County Hall on Monday for the full council meeting to show their opposition to the scheme, with spokesperson Aongus Mitchell saying: “We are going to fight this very hard and long. We are going to make sure our voice is heard.”

Irish Cement has agreed to address Limerick City and County Council’s economic committee over its use of alternative fuels at Mungret. A spokesperson for Irish Cement has confirmed it will accept an invitation from the local authority economic committee to face questions in a public arena from councillors.

"Irish Cement would be more than willing to meet with the committee at council buildings and to explain the proposed development with them there," the spokesperson confirmed.

The Limerick Leader reports, the intervention is significant as it is the first time the firm has accepted to a request for a large scale audience on its plans for the city.

Tim Hourigan, who chairs LAP says residents will exhaust all avenues of appeal against this – including going to the High Court.

"None of us would relish it. But if that’s what we need to do to protect the air that we breathe, then that’s what we’ll have to do. We’d prefer it if the Environemental Protection Agency (EPA) looked at it on its merits, and decided it was a bad idea," he said.

Irish Cement communications boss, Brian Gilmore, has previously said if the firm did not get permission to change process, its 80 jobs would be put at risk.