Probe into Tubber water incidents

Gardai are investigating what they described as a half a dozen “incidents of vandalism and criminal damage” to the Tubber Group Water Scheme reservoir over the last three weeks.

Sgt Dermot Monaghan from Athlone Garda Station says that the fire hydrants have been turned on in the area several times over recent weeks, effectively draining the water from the newly built reservoir, which serves Tubber and Rosemount, out onto the land and causing landslides onto the nearby cycleway which the council has been forced to clear on a number of different occasions.

The incidents at the reservoir, located at Ballybeg, Moate, a short distance away from the old Dublin road, are understood to have left householders served by the Tubber Group Water Scheme with limited, or in some cases, no supply at all at different times over the last three or more weeks.

Gardai are extremely concerned that the incidents present a major danger of contamination in the area as the water washes onto the land picking up clay and debris and may subsequently end up going back into underground streams, while the low water levels and use of the fire hydrants poses a major threat to the public if a fire were to break out in the area.

Sgt Monaghan appealed to anyone who has noticed any activity or unusual movements in the vicinity of the Ballybeg reservoir, Moate in recent weeks to come forward to members in either Clara, Moate or Athlone Garda Stations in complete confidence. Alternatively, the public can call the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.