Galway County Councillor Declan Kelly is calling for the immediate clearing of a bank of underwater reeds from the swimming area in Portumna.
Cllr Kelly, who lives in Portumna, has said that several swimmers have been in contact with him about their legs getting entangled in the reeds.
Cllr Kelly called the swimming area a ‘wonderful amenity’, which has seen large numbers of swimmers frequenting it during fine weather.
“Unfortunately, however, there has been a fairly strong growth of underwater reeds between the two jetties at the swimming area,” he said.
“As a result, I have received quite a number of phone calls from concerned swimmers who have reported their legs getting entangled in the reeds as they swim from jetty to jetty.”
These reeds have grown to the extent that a number can be seen above the surface of the water and Cllr Kelly understands that some work has taken place at this area and that about two barrowfuls of reeds have been removed and taken away.
“Clearly, however, there is much more to be done as there is a danger that a swimmer may get into difficulty and be unable to free their legs.
“I have therefore contacted Galway County Council and requested that the underwater bank of reeds be removed immediately so that local and visiting swimmers can enjoy the amenity with the most enhanced level of safety.”
