Pollution found in third Clare lake

Pollution of Co Clare's lakes has spread to a third lake as Clare County Council has declared Lough Graney in the northeast off-limits to swimmers and any domestic or farm animals.

The move by the council follows the latest outbreak of an algal bloom in the county this summer. Already, the toxic blue-green bloom has claimed the lives of two dogs who consumed the toxic substance during a swim in Lough Derg in June.

Since then, the bloom has appeared at a number of areas in Lough Derg forcing Clare and Tipperary county councils to erect signs advising the public that swimming is banned in the lake.

The councils have also advised farmers and others to keep domestic and farm animals away from the lake. It is the fifth year in a row that the councils have been forced to restrict access to the River Shannon's largest lake.

Since then, Clare County Council issued a similar notice in relation to Ballyalla Lake on the outskirts of Ennis.

Last night, Green Party councillor Brian Meaney expressed concern over the latest algal bloom outbreak.

"With this latest notice, it raises questions about how relevant are the annual water quality reports by the Environmental Protection Agency which year after year reports good news about Clare's freshwater bodies."

Pat Hayes, a part-time farmer and councillor for the electoral area which covers Lough Graney, (Fianna Fáil) expressed disappointment yesterday at the presence of the algal bloom.

He ruled out farming practices as being the cause of the pollution. "This area is not intensively farmed. Good weather conditions would be the cause of the algal bloom."