Reassurance about protections needed after incident at Mayo pool

THE public need reassurance that protections are in place when using changing facilities at the swimming pool in the Lough Lannagh leisure complex in Castlebar.

Following an incident of attempting to take an image of a minor in a changing cubicle, a review of procedures and protections at the facility has been sought by Councillor Harry Barrett.

He raised the matter at a Castlebar Municipal District meeting this afternoon, where he asked management to reach out to the affected families, if this has not already been done.

Standing orders were suspended at the start of the meeting to allow Councillor Barrett raise the incident, which has been the subject of a court case.

At the outset, he said his thoughts were with the young victims and their families. What happened, he added, has caused huge upset and concern in the community.

He was clear that this was not about blaming frontline staff. They work hard every day and many parents rely on the facility.

“However, as councillors, we have a duty to make sure every possible step is being taken to protect children and families using public facilities,” he stated.

He was asking management to prepare a full report for councillors before their next monthly meeting outlining a number of items:

* What safeguarding measures are currently in place.

* Whether any weaknesses in procedures have been identified.

* What additional protections or monitoring measures are now being introduced.

* How staff training and reporting procedures are being strengthened.

* What supports and communication have been offered to affected families.

Councillor Barrett said he believes there needs to be a visible staff supervision presence in or directly outside dressing room areas at all busy times, particularly where children and young people are using the facility.

“Parents need reassurance that proper oversight is in place,” he stated.

Councillor Barrett asked management to confirm if they have directly reached out to the affected families following the incident, and if not, will they now do so in a sensitive and supportive manner.

“The public need confidence that lessons have been learned and that every reasonable measure is being taken to ensure this can never happen again,” he added.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme