Sealed containers of oil and other materials are to be removed from a cargo ship which ran aground off the coast of Cork.

The MV Alta ran aground about two kilometres west of Ballycotton on Sunday.

The US Coast Guard had previously rescued the crew members from the ship back in September 2018.

Cork County Council's oil spill assessment team met again on Thursday as part of its contingency plan in response to the grounding.

Its marine contractor boarded the vessel to make preparations for safe removal of the sealed containers, which may pose a pollution risk in the event of spillage.

These will be removed from the vessel in the coming days by helicopter, subject to weather conditions.

There are also some visible traces of surface sheen on the water near the vessel, which is caused by residual material coming from the bilge and other compartments where the ship's hull has been breached.

However the experts say these traces will disperse.

Cork County Council is continuing to ask members of the public to stay away from the wreck, as it is located on a dangerous and inaccessible stretch of coastline and is in an unstable condition.