Canal swim teens in Killucan risking health, says Smyth

The canal around Killucan is being used as a bathing area by some young people, a local councillor has claimed, adding that she is concerned for their safety.

Cllr Hazel Smyth revealed at the May meeting of the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District that there are a number of locations where teenagers have been seen swimming, and she called on the district to write to Irish Water Safety requesting that they launch a media campaign and erect signage warning about the dangers of swimming in any unapproved waters.

The Green Party councillor said her concern is for the safety of the young swimmers given that the water quality is not monitored.

“We should flag this as an issue with Waterways Ireland,” Cllr Smyth stated.

“My concern here is that younger people are unaware of the risk.”

She added that since summer is coming and so many people were likely to be staycationing, she felt the risk of harm was one that needed to be staved off.

Director of services Deirdre Reilly stated that the executive would write to Inland Waterways over the issue.