Shock and frustration as Limerick pool reopening stalls just days before planned launch

WHAT should have been a moment of celebration instead sparked frustration, confusion and anger after it emerged the long-anticipated reopening of Askeaton swimming pool failed to go ahead as planned, with elected representatives claiming they were blindsided just 72 hours before the scheduled launch.

During the November meeting of the Rathkeale/Adare Municipal District, Cllr Adam Teskey voiced his disbelief at receiving an email three days before the scheduled reopening, stating that the pool would not, in fact, be opening on time due to water-quality test results.

He stressed that neither he nor his five colleagues in the district - Stephen Keary, Ger Ward, Bridie Collins, John O’Donoghue and Tommy Hartigan - had been informed of any issues or delays in advance.

Cllr Teskey said the lack of clarity had resulted in members of the public believing their local representatives were withholding information. “How in God’s name was it left so late to test the water?” he asked. “What was supposed to be a happy occasion for the people of Limerick ends up just not happening.”

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The discussion exposed contrasting views on where responsibility lies. Cllr Ger Ward argued the local authority had done all it could and he placed the blame on Swim Ireland, the appointed operators of the facility.

However, Cllr Stephen Keary sharply disagreed. “It falls back on us,” he said, noting that safety must always come first. “I’m aware that people have lost their lives because of dangerous water. But we also have to safeguard our investment and right now, I have no confidence in our investment.”

Cllr John O’Donoghue added that the district’s representatives were the ones who had to fund the pool through their local budgets. “It not opening is just another kick in the backside,” he said.

As the meeting continued, Cllr Teskey returned to the issue of timing. “Am I the only one at this table who is mind-boggled about the fact that they waited until the Friday (before it due to open) to test a bit of water?” he asked.

While stressing that he was not questioning the credibility of the testing company, he firmly criticised “the way it’s being handled.”

Council executives did acknowledge that representatives were informed late in the process, an acknowledgment Teskey welcomed as “refreshing.”

Just an hour after the meeting had concluded, the local authority announced, in a press release, that the pool would initially reopen only for local schools, with public access to follow at a later date once further phases of reopening are confirmed.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme