A swimming ban which had been in place since Tuesday on six beaches in North Dublin has now been lifted.

Six beaches have re-opened to the public after a total of 12 were closed when heavy rain caused toxic waste to infect the water.

I DON’T like to mention it in polite company, but my foundations are a bit exposed. The recent storm lashed at Portrane and made my Martello Tower spring leaks in more places than you could imagine. Eight buckets were deployed at the height of it, and we’re now in the check/replace/repaint phase.

Four Irish beaches, including two in Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow, have lost their blue flag status after failing to meet water quality standards.