User:rorynoonanDate:20/06/2013Time:08:39:19Edition:20/06/2013Thuthurecho200613Page:1Color:
EE - V1
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013
EDITION NO. 34,943
Serving Cork for 120 years
RRP: e1.50
Fountainstown beach which has been closed to swimming because of high levels of E.coli. Warnings have also been issued about three other beaches. Picture: Clare Keogh
Swimmers warned to stay out of water ONE of Cork’s best known beaches has been closed to swimming because of excessive E.coli levels in the water and bathers have been told not to swallow the water at three other beaches in west Cork. The closed beach is at Fountainstown where recent tests showed that the water has more than double the EU permitted levels of E.coli. In addition to be being told not to swallow the water at Barleycove in the Mizen Peninsula, The Warren at Rosscarbery and Tragumna near Skibbereen, bathers have been advised not to swim if they have a chronic illness or cuts and to wash hands before handling food after swimming there. Warning signs have been placed at the beaches. Today there was fury over what has been described as the ‘bizarre and illogical’ decision to close Fountainstown, near Carrigaline. Cork County Council carried out routine tests at the beaches this week in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Health Service Executive (HSE) guidance. It followed heavy rainfall at the week-
By PADRAIG HOARE
end which washed slurry and other effluent into the water. County councillor for the Carrigaline area, Tim Lombard, said that Fountainstown was bound to fail because of the lack of discretion and common sense in these guidelines. “Test dates were set in stone and Cork County Council had no choice but to carry out the tests. I have no doubt the water is safe now. “It is the best spell of weather in Ireland for years yet the community in Fountainstown is being punished for overzealous regulations by the EPA. “It is bizarre and illogical that Cork County Council has no discretion. Communities like Fountainstown and West Cork are put at risk because of bureaucracy.” There was fury on social media sites from locals in Fountainstown, with the owner of Funkytown Adventure Sports, Paddy Quinlan, describing the decision as “ridiculous.” Cork County Council said that when it got results from sampling that took place yesterday, they will be passed on to the HSE. ● See tomorrow’s Evening Echo for more.
Teacher slams cuts as ‘devastating to children’ 20.06.13 Recommended retail price €1.50
A CORK teacher has described the latest cuts to special needs teaching and assistance hours as a “devastating blow to children” and “a step too far.” Mary Magner represents Cork on the central executive committee for the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) and is a
By MARIA ROLSTON special educational needs resource teacher at St. Patrick’s Boys School in Mallow. She said the cuts to special needs teaching and assistance hours announced yesterday by the ● Continued on page two.
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