Mayos blue flag beaches reopen following ecoli scare

SEVERAL Mayo beaches closed to bathers due to abnormal levels of bacteria have been re-opened following resampling.

The affected beaches are at Thallabawn, Cross, Ballycastle and Dooega, Keel and Dugort on Achill Island.

Today (Friday) Mayo County Council gave the all-clear to these bathing areas following a resampling of the water by officers from its Environment Section.

The results of tests for Clare Island beach won't be known until tomorrow (Saturday).

The bathing ban at the public beaches, four of which have Blue Flag status, was imposed by the County Council earlier this week in consultation with the HSE.

The cause of the elevated levels of bacteria was explained as “recent abnormal weather conditions.'

Blue Flags were temporarily removed at Clare Island, Dooega, Keel and Dugort.

The results of routine tests on water samples – which were carried out on Monday last, August 10, showed elevated levels of E-coli.