Tag Archives: Fire service

In a week during which a major forest fire has raged  near Oughterard in County Galway, landowners and visitors have been warned to be more careful during this spell of exceptionally dry weather. Minister for Agriculture Food & Marine, Michael Creed and Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys have reminded landowners and the public that it is an offence under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife Act, 2000) to burn, from 1st March to 31st August in any year, any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated. Individuals who are found to burn vegetation within that prohibited period are liable to prosecution by An Garda Síochána or by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Commenting on the recent incidence of gorse fires throughout the country, Minister Creed said, “The Department of Agriculture has issued a number of Fire Danger Notices to the forestry sector since the beginning of March, including …

KILRUSH Gardai and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) have launched separate investigations into the tragic death of Mullagh man, George Morrissey, on Monday. It is understood that the deceased man, who was in his 70s, was working in a building, next to his house, when part of a mini digger fell on him. Three units of Kilrush fire service, along with Gardai and an ambulance, attended the scene. Mr Morrissey was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. A postmortem examination is to take place at University Hosptial Limerick.

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service has issued an appeal to the public to remain fire safety aware over the Christmas period. The fire service says the main causes of fire during the festive season are candles left unprotected, fairy lights left on all night or improperly wired, Christmas trees falling over, open fires without fireguards, and decorations catching fire. Clare chief fire officer Adrian Kelly says people should familiarise themselves with the fire safety advice available on www.clarecoco.ie and www.fireireland.ie. He added, “Christmas is a time for celebrating with families but it also is a time when extra fire hazards appear such as fairy lights, candles, open fires and decorations. I encourage householders across Clare to think about fire safety ahead of and during the Christmas period to avoid the risk of their Christmas being ruined.” “Open fires are used for longer periods during the winter and Christmas period as people spend a lot more time at home. Electrical …

A man in his 60’s has been rescued from the River Fergus. Gardaí were alerted around 9.30 last night after a man got into difficulty close to the bridge on the N85 ring-road near Clareabbey in Clarecastle.. Three units of the Ennis Fire Service, including a specialist Swift Water Rescue Team, were sent to the scene, while the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard was also alerted, but was later stood down. Members of An Garda Síochána located the man beneath the bridge and attempted to reach him by wading into the water before fire service personnel brought him to safety. The man was transferred into the care of the ambulance service.

A SPOKESMAN for the Clare fire service has said that a fire at Thermo King in Shannon has been brought under control. Large plumes of smoke have been wafting into the sky above the industrial estate this afternoon, while workers had to leave their posts. The fire service spokesman said that only units of the Shannon fire brigade had been required to tackle the blaze and that they had brought it under control relatively quickly.   Owen Ryan  

Clare County Council has reported water levels on the Lower River Shannon at Springfield, Clonlara, increased by 5-10cm (50-100mm) during Tuesday and overnight, and are now just under 20cm (200mm) lower than they were at their peak on December 13. The council says that the Mulkear River in County Limerick, which enters the River Shannon south of Annacotty, is currently in flood and is contributing to increased water levels at Springfield. Council staff are being assisted by the Fire Service and Defence Forces at Springfield, Clonlara, in its ongoing pumping operations and transportation of residents to and from approximately 12 homes isolated by flood waters.

The dangers of smoking in the home and the importance of having working smoke alarms installed will be the key messages promoted during National Fire Safety Week. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will host the 15th annual all-island initiative from Monday next, in association with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and locally with Clare County Fire & Rescue Service. “Smoking at Home Can Cause Fatal Fires”, is the theme of this year’s event, which takes into account the significant number of domestic fires started each year as a result of burning cigarettes. “Unfortunately on average 36 people die in Ireland each year as a result of fire. House fires account for the vast majority of these fires,” said Adrian Kelly, Clare Chief Fire Officer. “The cause of these fires ranged from heavily sooted and blocked chimneys, smoking in the home, burning rubbish, electrical faults and most alarmingly from children playing with matches or candles. …

An accident in a forest in Connolly on Wednesday night, which has left a man with serious injuries, is being investigated by the gardaí and Health and Safety Authority. Two units of the fire service from Ennis were dispatched to the scene at Tulloghboy, Connolly, following a call for assistance by the ambulance service. The man, who is in his forties, sustained crush injuries to his chest, after he became trapped against a truck. The man was freed, and brought to University Hospital Limerick, where his condition is described as critical.