Calls for investigation following closure of Wexford beaches during peak season – ‘We need to know why this is happening’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Although the official bathing season came to a conclusion on September 15 there are still concerns regarding the water quality in popular seaside spots in north Wexford.

In the wake of a summer which saw ‘no-swim notices’ issued for Ballymoney, and Morriscastle, local councillors have asked for evidence of the contamination which caused Wexford County Council (WCC) to warn people not to enter the water in those areas.

“What’s the blue flag status of the beach at Ballymoney?” asked Councillor Joe Sullivan at the September meeting of the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District (GKMD). “There were three no-swim notices issued there, do we have the findings of those yet? The water was contaminated on three occasions.”

After environmental engineer with WCC Siobhan Murphy informed Cllr Sullivan she would return with further details, Cllr Darragh McDonald called into question the council’s methods of testing water quality in coastal areas.

“I was told the investigations only include testing the waterways and that the engineers didn’t look further up stream, I don’t think that’s acceptable,” he said.

For Cllr Mary Farrell the biggest issue was relaying these notices to those coming to enjoy Wexford’s beaches from other counties.

“Simply saying there’s a no-swim notice in the height of the summer season when you have thousands of people wanting to come and experience our beaches is not good enough,” she said. “How do people coming from neighbouring counties know there’s a no-swim notice?

"The local people will hear about it but those coming for a day-trip won’t. They bring their picnic in their car and arrive at Morriscastle to discover there’s a no-swim notice. We need to know why this is happening and where the problems are coming from, because this is too common an occurrence.”

Ms Murphy reminded the councillors that no-swim notices are issued in the interests of public health before Cllr Sullivan said many businesses in the coastal areas relied heavily on the summer economy.

“Our blue flag beaches are our sales pitch, they are a source of tourism and income for our economy, we have a responsibility to make sure they are of the requisite quality,” he said.

Ultimately, the majority of those who arrive at Ballymoney or Morriscastle to be met with a no-swim notice will go elsewhere, but that in itself raised some questions.

“How far does the no-swim notice extend?” asked Cllr Farrell. “I’ve had people ask me if they can just go and swim in the neighbouring beaches instead. If you can’t swim in one body of water can you swim in the next?”