Public toilets at busy beach were closed at Easter

A Mayo councillor has claimed there is an “urban rural divide” when it comes to the provision of facilities in the county.

Cllr Paul McNamara, from Achill Island, made the remarks at last Friday's meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District after expressing frustration that bathroom facilities at beaches in his area are closed for the majority of the year.

Cllr McNamara fumed that the toilets at the hugely popular Keem Bay were locked over the Easter weekend causing frustration for tourists and locals.

“It created a problem for people in the community. We had great weather that weekend, we had our schools off for two weeks, our diaspora visiting and staying and a large number of tourists as well,” said Cllr McNamara.

A sum of €150,000 was secured for the upgrade of the toilet facilities at Keem and Cllr McNamara said it “beggars belief” that following this work the facility was locked up.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” he added.

Cllr McNamara said he faced a similar battle to ensure bathroom facilities at Keel Beach were opened and there is also frustration that toilets at Mulranny Beach are often locked.

“Why these toilets can’t be opened, particularly in those areas, all year round and maintained by the council staff? If they had to be locked up in the evening all good and well. This is happening year-on-year. Every year I come in and I’m beating the same drum."

Cllr McNamara said Mayo Co Council would not be locking up public toilets in urban centres.

“I bet the public toilets in all the urban towns were open. They weren’t locked. That’s my ongoing problem, how the rural areas are treated differently from the urban towns.

“We have to be treated the same,” he added.

Cllr McNamara said toilets in key areas should be left open all year around or at least from St Patrick’s weekend onwards.

He was supported by Independents Ireland Cllr Chris Maxwell., who said: “We have similar issues in the Louisburgh area. What Paul said is 100% spot on."

Manager of the municipal district Seamus O'Mongáin said additional budget provisions would need to be made to allow for longer opening times.