Emergency services have dealt with a chemical incident close to a popular beach in Co Clare.
Clare County Fire and Rescue Service and Gardaí were alerted at around 1.30pm today following a report that a drum had washed onto rocks at White Strand near Miltown Malbay.
On arrival, fire crews from Ennistymon and Kilrush stations carried out an assessment of the scene and located the remains of what is thought to be a 40-gallon container. The drum appears to have been brought in with the tide and washed onto the rocks about 300 metres from the beach and close to a popular walking path.
As a precaution, fire service personnel set up a cordon around the scene and directed Sunday walkers away from the cliff path in case there could be dangerous fumes in the air.
Firefighters wearing specialist chemical suits assessed the drum and confirmed that it had split and spilled its contents.
Fire officers assessed the situation and established that the unknown chemical was no longer a danger to the public. The scene was declared safe and the path was reopened to walkers at around 3.00pm.
It’s thought the drum may have fallen overboard from a passing ship in recent weeks.
