Locals in a town hit by poor water quality results fear their beaches will be effectively closed during the summer season.
The four beaches which got notices from the EPA were Balbriggan in Dublin, Clifden Beach in Galway, Lilliput in Westmeath and Cúas Crom in Kerry.
Tucked away in the northern tip of the county, Balbriggan’s front strand beach is one of the most scenic in Dublin.
In a few weeks, it should be full of people enjoying staycations.
But the Environmental Protection Agency decision to class the front strand beach’s water quality as 'poor' has cast doubts on this.
Independent councillor Grainne Maguire says it will effectively close the beach when local businesses need it most.
There are now calls for the EPA to continue monitoring the water at the beach, in the hope it improves in time for summer.
Reporting by Paul O’Donoghue
