A ‘Do Not Swim’ notice was issued at Velvet Strand Beach in Portmarnock.

A fifth Dublin beach has been closed by Fingal County Council because of sewage pollution during the hottest week of the year.

A ‘Do Not Swim’ notice was issued at Velvet Strand Beach in Portmarnock which will be in place until Monday at the earliest.

A suspected overflow at the Portmarnock Strand Pumping Station has made the water unsuitable for swimming.

Velvet Strand had been under an advisory notice since Tuesday along with beaches in Claremont and Sutton, due to an overflow from another pump station.

Last week beaches in Rush, Balbriggan, Skerries and Loughshinny were closed as water quality deteriorated due to sewage pollution.

Garry O’Brien from the Environment Department of Fingal County Council issued a warning to local councillors about the beach closures

“This action is being taken to ensure we are not compromising the human health of bathers,” he said.

Councillor JP Browne said it was "a real shame" and that Fingal County Council and Irish Water were working together to solve the problem.

"It's very disappointing and will have a huge affect on Fingal's tourism."

This year Portrane beach lost its Blue Flag, while Skerries lost its Blue Flag the year before.

Online Editors