'Ridiculous' that toilets at Mayo beauty spot have been closed

THE public toilets at Keem in Achill remained closed over the Easter weekend.

With the good weather, schools off, and the diaspora and tourists visiting the locality, the situation 'beggars belief', local Councillor Paul McNamara told a municipal district meeting.

Having secured €150,000 for an upgrade of the facilities, he wanted to know why were they locked up.

The reality of the situation is that this is the end of the island and for anyone needing to go to the toilet, they had to 'go behind the wall'.

Given the amount of people in the area at that time, for the toilets not to be open was 'ridiculous'.

In areas like this and Keel, the facilities should be opened all year round, he said.

Councillor McNamara said over the May holiday weekend it was a struggle to get the toilets in Mulranny open. They did, but during the week he got calls to say they were locked again - on the best week of weather.

Going forward these facilities have to be open from St. Patrick's weekend, and some all year round, he told council management.

Councillor McNamara was told this would require significant funding, for which provision needs to be put into the budget at the beginning of the year.