ireland beach
© Irish Examiner
Swimming has been banned at a former blue flag beach in Co Cork due to excessive E.coli levels while the public has been warned of "potential risks" at three other bathing spots, including two current blue flag beaches.

Cork County Council was forced to prohibit swimming at Fountainstown beach, 23km south of Cork City.

A previous recipient of the coveted EU-approved symbol, the council did not make an application this year for Fountainstown to retain its blue flag status due to stricter bathing water criteria.

Recent tests showed Fountainstown had more than double the EU permitted levels of E.coli.

However, advisory notices have also been placed at three beaches in West Cork - Barleycove in the Mizen peninsula, The Warren at Rosscarbery and Tragumna near Skibbereen.

Elevated levels of the bacteria were found at the three locations, but they did not exceed EU regulations. Both The Warren and Tragumna recently retained their blue flag designation while Barleycove lost its one this year.

Signs placed at the beaches warn that while most bathers are unlikely to experience any illness, there are risks attached.

People were advised not to splash and to avoid swallowing sea water. The public has also been advised not to swim if they have a chronic illness or cuts and to wash hands before handling food.

The tests were under-taken by council officials on Monday last.

It is believed torrential rain over the weekend and last Friday swept slurry off the land which led to excessive E.coli accumulating offshore.

Last summer, the county council was forced to close seven beaches after torrential rain also washed excessive levels of E.coli into the sea.

Meanwhile, further midweek test results should be known later tomorrow.

A council spokesman said when the results are determined, it will consult with the HSE on whether it will be able to reopen Fountainstown beach for bathing.

Fine Gael county councillor Tim Lombard said it was the first time the beach was ever closed to visitors because of E.coli.

"The council is obliged to test bathing waters on certain dates. It has no discretion. I think it should have this discretion, especially after heavy rainfall like we had last week. Common sense has to prevail. This testing procedure will have to be looked at as a lot of businesses in the area are dependent on tourism."