Beach closed to swimmers

A MAYO beach has been off limits for swimming this weekend due to a pollution issue.

The affected beach is Dugort in Achill, which has been closed since Friday. The beaches.ie website also indicates water quality at Golden Strand in Achill is 'poor'.

A notice issued from Mayo County Council indicates that bathing has been prohibited at Dugort due to elevated levels of bacteria detected in a bathing water sample taken on August 8.

The likely cause, the notice states, is diffuse pollution due to recent heavy rainfall events.

The restriction is expected to last 72 hours, with the results of a sample taken on Friday expected to be known today (Sunday).