The Blue Flag was taken down on Co Sligo's Enniscrone beach yesterday because of raw sewage in a stream which flows into the sea there. Last Saturday, two pumps burned out at the local sewage pumping station, and sewage entered the Ballawaddy river.
Mr Paul Canning, senior engineer, Sligo County Council, said the water quality was now below Blue Flag standard, although still within European bathing water standards.
"It is safe for people to swim, but not within 150 metres of the polluted stream. It is important that swimmers do not ingest water, as there is a danger of illness."
Warning signs have been erected and the county council is monitoring the situation.
