Swimming ban at beaches over e-coli threat

Fears over a possible e-coli outbreak yesterday forced Clare County Council to immediately ban swimming at two beaches at Lahinch and Kilkee.

Swimming at Spanish Point beach on Clare’s Atlantic coast was also banned after trace levels of e-coli were found in water samples from the three beaches on Wednesday.

Thousands are expected to travel to the resorts this weekend with good weather forecast, after weeks of poor weather adversely affected tourist businesses in the area.

However, public bathing notices and red flags confirming that swimming and surfing is prohibited were yesterday placed on all of the affected beaches. The blue flags at Lahinch and Kilkee beaches have been removed for now.

Director with Clare County Council, Ann Haugh said the move “is unprecedented. It is very unfortunate, but public safety is paramount and we are unwilling to take any risks”.

She said fresh tests were taken at the three beaches yesterday and it will be tomorrow before the results are known. A decision will be made then as to whether the waters can re-open.

The decision was taken in consultation with the HSE.

Ms Haugh said abnormal weather conditions and run- off from lands surrounding the beaches was the cause.

“The water runoff from the excessive and sustained rainfall of the past two months has had a negative impact on bathing water quality at Kilkee, Spanish Point and Lahinch by elevating bacterial levels.”

She stressed the results show “that each of the three bathing areas are presently within the mandatory limits as stated in the bathing water regulations”.

Public drinking water supplies are not affected.

Last night, Lahinch hotelier, Michael Vaughan described the move as “a shocking development”.

“Never in living memory and my father is 90 can it be recalled that swimming was banned in Lahinch because of e-coli. This is unchartered territory and I would be fearful for business. We require independent reassurances that the water is ok.”