A BATHING BAN introduced on Friday at Dublin’s Sandymount strand remains in place today.
Dublin City Council said the ban came after heavy rainfall led to sewage washing up on the beaches from the River Liffey.
The temporary bathing ban came into place on Friday evening at Dollymount and Sandymount strands but a spokesperson for DCC confirmed the ban remains in place in Sandymount today.
The spokesperson said: “Following laboratory analysis results for the bathing water sample taken on Friday 9 June, the temporary bathing ban will remain in place for Sandymount Strand.
A further example was taken yesterday and another is due to be taken today, as part of this season’s schedule, with results for both rounds of samples being available on Wednesday 14 June.
Local Green Party representative for Clontarf Donna Cooney said that bathers, the local economy and the local environment will suffer if sewage and drainage systems are not updated in the area.
Sinn Féin councillors have tabled an emergency motion at Dublin City Council, and the matter will be debated this evening.
Councillor Chris Andrews told TheJournal.ie that it was urgent to get to the bottom of the matter quickly.
He said: “We need to find out the precise reasons why this happened, beyond just that issues around rainfall and flooding.
We’re in Ireland. We know it rains a lot. It’s not acceptable that these can be closed.
“We need to get more clarification,” Andrews said. “I’m looking for information on what needs to be done to prevent this from happening again.”
Commenting on the continued ban in Sandymount, the Green Party has called for urgent action to address issues with Dublin’s waste water treatment systems.
Its leader TD Eamon Ryan said: “Water quality failures threaten public health, tourism and the environment. Bathers are at risk of skin irritation and illness if exposed to pollution in these areas.
Tourism is a huge driver of the economy in coastal areas, and must be protected.
The Green Party’s Donna Cooney added: “I, like many Dubs, swim regularly in the sea. Warm weather is set to return on Wednesday, and we fear tourism could be negatively affected by these water quality issues.
Flash flooding is becoming more common and unpredictable as the weather associated with the effects of climate change. Our sewage and drainage systems need to be upgraded extensively to deal with this reality.
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