Tag Archives: Hildegarde Naughton

SEVERAL issues affecting the Doolin Coast Guard Unit including a ban on call outs to assist casualties on land near the Cliffs of Moher remain unresolved as concern grows over the delay in reconstituting the unit. Minister of State in the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD, has asked the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) to begin the process of reconstituting the Doolin Coast Guard unit, which was stood down from operations and training activities on November 2 last after the resignation of six volunteers. The decision was made following receipt of a report and recommendation from independent mediator, Kieran Mulvey, which has advised that certain relationships within the Doolin Coast Guard Unit have irretrievably broken down and that the mutual trust, respect and confidence required to effectively operate a Coast Guard Unit does not exist within the unit. However, local volunteers are still in the dark about what process will be used or who will have the final say in …

  THE Doolin Coast Guard Unit will be reconstituted on an interim basis to ensure rescue services return to the local community and visitors, according to Minister of State in the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton . On November 2, Doolin Coast Guard Unit was controversially stood down from operations and training activities after six volunteers resigned including the officer in charge amid claims of “severe bullying and harassment” in the service. Marine cover and medical assistance to casualties that get into difficulty in inaccessible locations from South Galway to Doonbeg couldn’t be provided by very experienced highly trained members over the last six weeks. Transport Minister Eamon Ryan was warned by Senator Martin Conway that “lives were being put at risk” over the “unacceptable decision” to stand down the unit, despite the expertise and experience of 12 remaining members. The outcry over the coast guard unit’s suspension resulted in the recent appointment of independent mediator, Kieran Mulvey, who concluded …