Request for lifeguards at popular Tipperary bathing area 'premature'
Sandybanks hadn’t been designated as official bathing area
There’s a lot more than the quality of the water to consider when it comes to providing lifeguards on a popular riverside bathing spot in Clonmel, a senior Tipperary County Council official has stated.
They had to ensure that the bathing location was safe; that movement of people could be managed, with safe access to and egress from the area; and that emergency services could access the area if an emergency arose, Damien Ginty told a meeting of Clonmel Borough District.
He was responding to a request from District Mayor Pat English for lifeguards to be employed at Sandybanks in Marlfield, Clonmel during the summer.
Cllr English said that this had been a traditional bathing area for many years before the town had swimming pools. In the hot weather hundreds of people, including many families, went there. A lifeguard service had been provided but for some reason it was removed by the county council.
They had been told that the water quality in rivers had improved recently, he said.
An initial written response from District Administrator Marie O’Donnell stated that while Sandybanks may be used by the public for swimming, this location hadn’t been designated as an official bathing area.
“Tipperary County Council must identify bathing waters to ensure they meet stringent microbiological water quality standards. As Sandybanks has not been designated as an official bathing area, the provision of a lifeguard service is premature at this time”.
Ms O’Donnell added that the county council was currently inviting submissions for the identification of bathing waters.
Cllr Siobhán Ambrose said that Sandybanks was used all the time, irrespective of the water quality.
Damien Ginty said he understood the merits of Cllr English’s request, and they would have another look at it.