Baltinglass man dies while out cycling Water warnings remain in place
A BALTINGLASS resident sadly passed away following a cycling accident in west Wicklow on Friday.
The man, named locally as Jonathan Booth, aged in his mid-forties, was reported missing by family members, after he failed to return home from a cycle on forest tracks near Rathdangan.
The alarm was raised in the early hours of Saturday morning and at 7.30 a.m. Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team were tasked by An Garda Síochána to assist in a large scale search operation.
Mr Booth’s car was located by gardaí, parked at a forestry entrance and Dublin & Wicklow, Glen of Imaal, and South Eastern mountain rescue teams, Search and Rescue Dogs Association (SARDA), Garda Air Support Unit, and the Civil Defence were all tasked to assist in the search.
Sadly, the cyclist’s body was discovered in the late morning and the search was stood down just before 1 p.m.
It is understood that Mr Booth passed away as the result of an accident while out on his bike.
The deceased man is reported to have moved to the Baltinglass area less than two years ago and is originally from Belfast. A do not drink notice in Kiltegan and a boil water notice, issued last Wednesday for the Aughrim Annacurra Water Supply remain in place.
A total of 269 service users on the Kiltegan Water Supply have been affected by the notice and have been getting water from tankers outside Katie Lowe’s Pub since Wednesday, May 2.
According to Irish Water, elevated nitrate levels have rendered the water unsafe to drink and they have stressed that in particular, it should not be given to infants.
The water can be used for bathing, but not for food preparation or drinking, and customers are reminded that boiling will not reduce nitrate levels.
In south Wicklow, a boil water notice remains in place for the Aughrim Annacurra Water Suppler which affects 1,588 customers.
Irish Water and Wicklow County Council notified customers of a water quality issue in recent days and following the advice of the Health Service Executive, advised that all water should be boiled before use.
Irish Water advised that water must be boiled (rolling boil for one minute and then cooled) for drinking, preparing drinks made with water, preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating, brushing of teeth and making ice.
There is not indication, as to when the notices will be lifted. Further information on both supplies is available on 1850 278 278 on through Twitter @IWCare.