AN outbreak of polio is feared in Askeaton because of the amount of raw sewage being pumped directly into the River Deel.
AN outbreak of polio is feared in Askeaton because of the amount of raw sewage being pumped directly into the River Deel.Former Mayor of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr Kevin Sheahan warned this week of the major health implications of effluent flowing directly into the Shannon Estuary.
Cllr Sheahan now believes the people of Askeaton have been treated in a “scandalous and scurrilous” manner for far too long.
The Fianna Fail politician reached boiling point at this month’s Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District meeting while lambasting Irish Water for reneging on the promise of a new upgraded sewerage system for the town.
Cllr Sheahan has been campaigning for a sewerage treatment plant in Askeaton since first being elected to the local authority 32 years ago. Six weeks ago, Askeaton was removed from a list of towns due for sewerage system upgrades from Irish Water and he hit out by saying the people of Askeaton have been “betrayed”.
“We have been told reams of lies. We have been deceived and given false information. People have been misled and I won’t go away silently. I will be disruptive at every opportunity on this issue from here on. This is not good enough,” he declared.
“I’m afraid that children swimming in the river or using it for boating could get polio. They do use it for these purposes. It is time now for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to get involved. They have a role to play.
“Raw sewage is being pumped into the Deel 24 hours a day seven days a week. There are major health implications here. It has to be seen to be believed.”
His fellow councillors unanimously supported his proposal for the Council to write to the three County Limerick TDs —Tom Neville (FG), Patrick O’Donovan (FG) and Niall Collins (FF) – to raise the issue as a matter of urgency at Dáil Éireann.
Settlement beds were built in Askeaton in the 1940s and Cllr Sheahan insists they are totally inadequate for the quantity of raw sewage being produced.
Fine Gael councillor Stephen Keary said he was disappointed by the lack of pressure the executive of Limerick City and County Council had put on Irish Water to ensure they delivered on the new Askeaton sewerage treatment scheme.
by Alan Jacques
