CITY COUNCIL KNEW OF LEAD PROBLEM FOR FIVE MONTHS

Date Published: 25-Sep-2008

Galway city council first knew about high lead levels in the city as far back as April. City manager Joe McGrath says they detected high levels of lead in one house in April, and in another house last July. He notified the EPA and the HSE in late July and the HSE began it's own investigations. On the 8th of September, three weeks ago, the HSE told the city council of their concern regarding high lead levels in the four affected areas of the city -Old Mervue where all 330 houses are affected, and smaller numbers in Bohermore, Shantalla and the Claddagh.However, the city council didn't sit down with the HSE to discuss a plan of action until 11 days later last Friday. City manager Joe McGrath denied there was a cover-up on the part of the city council.