The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
A notice, advising people not to swim at Lahinch Beach is still in force this afternoon, August 8, but Clare County Council has clarified that swimming is not currently prohibited at the beach.
The local authority issued an Advisory Notice yesterday, following consultation from the Health Service Executive (HSE) which stated that “elevated levels of bacteria” had been found in the water at Lahinch.
Clare County Council lifeguards are currently flying red and yellow flags at Lahinch Beach, which signifies that lifeguards are on duty and weather conditions are suitable for swimming.
A council spokesperson told The Clare Champion today that a red flag would be flying at Lahinch if swimming was prohibited.
“On foot of routine sampling, following a short-term pollution incident at Lahinch, Clare County Council notified the HSE of elevated bacteriological readings,” said a council spokesperson.
“In the event of elevated bacterial counts, local authorities, in consultation with the HSE, are advised to implement bather warnings at the agreed action levels and undertake management measures advised by the HSE to ensure public safety.
“The HSE subsequently informed Clare County Council to put an ‘Advice Not To Swim’ notice in place at Lahinch. This notice and advice is still active.
“The current action level as advised by the HSE is an advisory notice and not a prohibition notice. As there is no prohibition notice currently in place at Lahinch, the red flags are not flying.”
According to local businessman Ben Bennett of Ben’s Surf Clinic, this level of warning means that pregnant women and people with underlying issues should not swim, but the water is safe for others to use.
“The current situation on Lahinch Beach is that Clare County Council has an advisory notice for bathing up, which states that the water quality is below blue flag status, however, it is above regular standard for water quality,” he said.
“My understanding is that those who are pregnant or have underlying issues are advised not to swim. Currently, Clare County Council lifeguards are flying the red and yellow flag, which means it is safe to swim on the beach in Lahinch.
“On their website it states that people are advised ‘not to swim’. Unfortunately warnings are being reported as bans through the media and the public and businesses are getting mixed messages which creates a fear and a very negative attitude to the beach and the village of Lahinch.”
Andrew Hamilton
Andrew Hamilton is a journalist, writer and podcaster based in the west of Ireland.
