Defence Forces scoping exercise needed after Mayo lake grenade find

THE Defence Forces have been asked to conduct a scoping exercise at Lough Lannagh after a grenade was found on the lake shore last weekend.

A controlled explosion on the device, which was historic in nature, was conducted by Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel at the lake.

Councillor Ger Deere, cathaoirleach, raised the matter at the monthly Castlebar Municipal District meeting today, where he asked the council to contact the Department of Defence to do a scoping exercise.

The lake is a very popular amenity, used for swimming and also the dragon boat, and screening should take place now while water levels are low, he proposed.

Councillor Deere said from reports, he understood that Crown forces had dumped ammunition in the lake in the early '20s when leaving the area.

The Connaught Telegraph previously reported on a hand grenade being found by a walker on the lake shore at Lough Lannagh back in August 1993.

It was identified as a Mills 36 grenade, dating back to the 1920s, and while it was totally corroded, the pin and leaver were still in place.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme