Caution urged as woman washed out to sea

Holidaymakers and members of the public are being warned to only swim where lifeguards are on duty after a woman was swept out to sea while swimming at an unsupervised beach along the North Clare coast.
Julie Bourke (32) from Delmege Park in Moyross travelled to Liscannor on Bank Holiday Monday, with a group of family and friends. Ms Bourke along with three others went into the water at Kilmacreehy Church and graveyard, an unguarded beach where the Inagh River enters the sea.
“There would be strong currents there and while you would see people walking along the shore, you wouldn’t see that many swimming there as there is no lifeguard on duty in the area,” said Mattie Shannon, officer in charge at Doolin Coast Guard unit.
Ms Bourke’s family lost sight of her and raised the alarm.
At 2.50pm the Doolin Coast Guard Unit was called to the incident between Liscannor and Lahinch. The team launched the new Delta RIB immediately from Doolin and went to Liscannor.
“The Irish Naval vessel, the LE Aisling, was anchored in Liscannor Bay over the course of the weekend and they were able to get their RIB to the scene very quickly, they recovered the casualty to their boat,” explained Mr Shannon.
The Shannon Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter had also been called and landed at Liscannor Pier. Along with Doolin Coast Guard members, assisting at the scene was the HSE ambulance service, the Ennistymon Fire and Rescue Service, the gardaí and members of Lahinch Rescue. Several people who had attempted to help Ms Bourke from the water were treated by members of the rescue services for shock.
Ms Bourke was taken on board the helicopter and transported to UCH Galway where she later died. Her funeral takes place at St Munchin’s Church in Limerick on Thursday at 11am with burial afterwards in Mount Saint Oliver Cemetery.