Disgusting raw sewage has been pumped into Dublin's only Blue and Green flag beach for the past two days, Dublin Live can exclusively reveal.
Footage taken by well-known coastal crusader, all-year swimmer and environmentalist Cathy McMahon shows effluent spewing into the sea at Portmarnock in north Dublin.
Stomach-churning footage shows the foul wastewater flowing freely into the sea at the top of the Velvet Strand - the only beach on the entire east coast that boasts both environmental quality ticks and one of only five with both flags in the entire country.
Cathy posted a video showing gallon upon gallon of human waste gushing into the sea and said: "Sewage discharging to the beach at Portmarnock. No rain.
"Tide out. Sanitary towels, wipes, tampons and sh*te. Seagulls eating whatever they can."
Local councillor and fellow Portmarnock native Brian McDonagh said he was furious.
The all-year-round beach swimmer raged: "This is a disgrace. This current breach is apparently down to a concrete surface-water drain crumbling followed by an operational balls-up by contractors.
"Irish Water have had a shocking summer in Portmarnock.
"It beggars belief the seemingly cavalier attitude to operation and maintenance of key infrastructure at the blue flag beach, particularly when they are trying to convince people of their ability to safely operate an outflow for a much bigger plant off Irelands Eye."
The dad of one added: "They need to fix these problems. This is at least the fifth incident this summer.
"I am sick of it. Before this happened I had put down a motion for the next area committee.
"I know the CEO of Fingal is also livid. Once again, Fingal are literally left cleaning up Irish water's crap."
Dublin Live has contacted Irish Water for a comment on the reason for this latest pollution set-back for Dublin's cleanest beach.
The beauty spot is further threatened by Irish Water plans to build a "monster" sewage treatment plant in nearby Clonshaugh that will see millions of litres of wastewater pumped into the sea daily, just 5km off Portmarnock and even closer to Howth, if it is allowed to be built.
