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Tag Archives: Coastguard

‘Critical lessons’ must be learned from death of Caitriona Lucas

The family of the late Caitriona Lucas say that “critical lessons” must be learned from the North Clare woman’s death while on duty with the coastguard in 2016. A jury of four men and three women returned a verdict of death by misadventure yesterday evening, Thursday, following a four day sitting of the coroners court in Limerick. In a statement read after the verdict, the Lucas family was critical of the Irish Coastguard, saying that its failures to have proper safety systems in place caused the death of Caitriona Lucas. The family also highlighted the failure of the authorities to act on a 2012 report, which called for a senior safety systems manager to be installed in the Irish Coast Guard. In their statement they also said that the minister in charge of the Department of Transport in 2012 “should be held to account”. When delivering their verdict, the jurors said that a number of recommendations to enhance safety should …

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Green light for council beach toy ban

A BAN on the use of inflatable toys at Clare beaches and waterways is in the offing, as part of a review of bye-laws designed to improve safety. Mayor of Clare, Councillor Mary Howard, proposed updating the regulations to ban the toys. She described them as being “meant for the pool in Ibiza, not Ballyalla, Killaloe or Lahinch”. The motion, which received a warm welcome at the monthly meeting of Clare County Council, comes on foot of a number of near misses over the summer months when children got into difficulties. Over the summer, lifeguards around Clare and other coastal counties, reported a sharp rise in the use of air mattresses, inflatable rings and other toys. Councillor Howard said that despite the known dangers, many people were still buying the items because they were inexpensive and widely available. “It was just €5 in one shop last week for what was either an inflatable unicorn or a flamingo,” she remarked. The …

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Tragedy as two teenagers drown in Ennis quarry

Two boys, both aged 15, who were swimming at a quarry in Ennis have died at University Hospital Limerick. It is understood that the two teenagers got into difficulty at a disused quarry near Knockanean in the town today [Thursday]. Both boys were recovered by the Coastguard helicopter shortly after 3.30pm, after gardai were notified that people were in difficulty in the water, at Knockanean quarry lake and assistance was required. They were airlifted to University Hospital Limerick but this evening news has emerged that both have been pronounced deceased. Both are believed to be from Ennis. Their names will not be released until family members have been notified. It is understood that the teenagers were due to sit their junior certificate examinations on Wednesday.

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Loop Head’s Fenians honoured

THIS weekend, Kilbaha, which is the most westerly village on the Clare coast, will mark the 150th anniversary of the community’s role in the Fenian Rising on March 5, 1867. The Fenians of Loop Head were among the few groups throughout the country who rose up on that day. On Saturday, in Kilbaha hall, Scott Deloughery, great-grandson of John Deloughery, who was leader of the Kilbaha Fenians in 1867 and subsequently emigrated to Newtown, Connecticut, will launch an exhibition of contemporary newspaper accounts of the event. Saturday and Sunday will also feature further talks, a guided historic walk and a wreath-laying ceremony. Historian Paddy Waldron, who will deliver a talk on The West Clare Fenians on Saturday, believes this is Scott’s first visit to Ireland. The attack on Kilbaha Coastguard Station took place on Shrove Tuesday night, 150 years ago. “There were five rebels. There were various other people charged afterwards. Thomas McCarthy Fennell became the best known of the …

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Search continues for David McMahon

The search is continuing in Kilkee today (Tuesday) for David McMahon from Lisssycasey, who as been missing from his home since Friday last. The alarm was raised when the 31-year-old did not answer his phone and his car was subsequently located in Kilkee, sparking a major cliff top and off shore search since then. The search is being led by main emergency services, backed up by a large number of volunteers. The search took a tragic turn on Monday evening with death of Caitriona Lucas, during a search operation in Kilkee Bay. Originally from Ballyvaughan, the mother of two, whose husband, Bernard is also a rescue service volunteer, died when the Kilkee Coastguard Unit rib boat capsized during the search for David McMahon. Another coastguard volunteer, Jenny Carway, was injured and removed by helicopter, while James Lucey was trapped in a cave at the base of a cliff for four to five hours before he was rescued. Amongst those paying …

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O’Curry’s in shock at death of club member

O’Curry’S GAA Club has expressed its shock and sadness at the death of club member Bernie Mahoney, who drowned in Poulnasherry Bay in the early hours of Sunday morning. The father of three from Moveen lost his life while oyster farming with three men, including his brother, at the location near Moyasta in West Clare. His youngest child was due to be baptised on Sunday. “Everyone at O’Curry’s GAA Club is shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Bernie. Bernie was one of the most dedicated players the club has had over the years and gave fantastic service at both junior and senior level,” club PRO Eoin Troy told The Clare Champion. “He was strong and extremely fit, which allowed him to play well into his 30s. In a small club, with small numbers, it is very important to have committed people and Bernie was not only committed but was extremely dependable. He balanced football with a hectic work …

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Body of oyster fisherman recovered

THE body of an oyster fisherman has been recovered from Poulnasherry Bay, Moyasta. In the early hours of Sunday morning emergency services were contacted when four men working on oyster beds in the bay were reported to be in difficulty. Shannon Coast guard tasked Kilrush RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew at 3.29 am to investigate a report of four persons in the water in the Poulnasherry Bay area of the Shannon Estuary. The deceased man, who is believed to be in his 40s and is a father of three from the Carrigaholt parish, attempted to swim ashore. His three colleagues, including the deceased man’s brother, were rescued. Kilrush lifeboat crew were met by members of the public on the scene who had successfully recovered three persons safely from the water. The casualties were transferred by ambulance for medical assessment to University Hospital, Limerick. Kilrush RNLI, Kilkee Coast Guard and the Shannon based Coast Guard helicopter undertook a large-scale search of the …

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Human Remains Found on Mutton Island

LOCALS have discovered what appear to be human remains in a shallow grave on Mutton Island off the coast of Quilty this week. The remains, which are believed to be historical in nature, were found on the Eastern side of the Island earlier this week. The skull and bones were discovered under approximately a foot of soil and it is believed that the remains may date back to famine times. Gardaí were transported by members of the Doolin and Kilkee Coast Guard to investigate on Wednesday. Further gardaí are expected to travel to the island at 2pm today, Friday, to examine the remains.

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