VIDEO: Athlone oil pollution - 'I can't believe this is still going on' 

A local wildlife enthusiast said he's still receiving calls about dead birds almost two months on from the serious oil spill on the River Shannon in Athlone. 

Ruairi O Leocháin, who is a Kildare Animal Rescue Wildlife Unit volunteer, has been taking regular trips out on the water in Athlone to monitor the situation and he said the oil contamination was still obvious in certain areas of the river. 

"The smell is absolutely disgusting still," he said during a video update recorded on the water at the bottom of The Big Meadow area yesterday (Tuesday). 

He said the oil spill has resulted in deaths of cormorants, swans, ducks, moorhens and fish. Just yesterday, he received another call about a dead bird near the canal. 

You can view Ruairi's update here: 

Westmeath County Council has issued a statement on the issue this afternoon (Wednesday). 

It said: "Westmeath County Council are aware of the ongoing issue of oil residue within the reeds along the west bank of the Shannon immediately downstream of Athlone. On Friday (September 20), our staff were working with environmental staff from Waterways Ireland to spray the affected areas within the reed beds from an open deck canoe which could access these shallow areas without damaging the sensitive vegetation.

"We are using a very specific biological product which accelerates the biodegradation of the oil residue but unfortunately the process does take time."

The local authority said the The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) was also in the area last week and this week and had not spotted any "oiled" birds during their inspections.

"NPWS are continuing to monitor the situation and are liaising with Westmeath County Council. Irish Fisheries Ireland carried out an inspection of the River on September 23 and did not identify any further oil contamination. Westmeath County Council will be continuing to review the situation," concluded the council.