Tag Archives: RNLI

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 …

The Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, John Crowe has foregone his Christmas card allowance to support local organisations and charities. Councillor John Crowe will present Cahercalla Hospice, the RNLI, Clarecastle Daycare Centre and Going Strong Sixmilebridge with cheques for €250 each. “I am delighted to contribute my Christmas card allowance to the respective fundraising efforts of these organisations who for very different but important reasons rely on such donations,” he said.

Newly appointed lifeboat operations manager at Kilrush RNLI, Pauline Dunleavy, had her first callout in charge, when an alert was received on Sunday morning. The lifeboat was launched to reports that a plane flying overhead had observed an indication that a fire may have broken out in the cargo hold. In these circumstances it is standard procedure to launch the lifeboat and it gave Pauline a chance to see how fast the lifeboat can be launched and the response of the volunteers in times of emergency. The lifeboat was launched at 9.20am and kept a presence on the river before they learned that the flight, which was en route to France, had landed safely at Shannon Airport and they were stood down. Commenting on the callout, Pauline Dunleavy said, “During my first callout in this new role, it was great to see the lifeboat crew respond to an emergency from the other side. I had the opportunity to see the …

Plans for  a permanent Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Station in Dromineer will be unveiled at a public meeting in the village on Wednesday. Members of the public will be able to meet architects and engineers who drafted the plans, at a consultation meeting in the Lough Derg Yacht Club from 7pm to 9pm. The current station began operations from the premises of Lough Derg Yacht Club at Dromineer, halfway down the east shore of the lake in North Tipperary. Now that plans for a new permanent station in the village are well underway, it is important that people become engaged with the consultation process. On May 25 last, the Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Station celebrated its 10th birthday. Over the past 10 years, the lifeboat was launched 240 times, 60 of those at night. Volunteer crews have rescued 340 people and saved the lives of three. Following a rescue on August 13 of this year, the skipper of the vessel wrote …

A woman in her late sixties died after falling into the water in Lough Derg in the early hours of Sunday morning, despite an extensive rescue operation. The incident happened at the marina near the village of Dromineer on the shores of Lough Derg. The RNLI based at Dromineer was tasked by the Valentia Coastguard Marine Coordination Centre at about 1.15 and were told there were two people in the water. Within about seven minutes, the RNLI crew of three volunteers were on the water and learned that only one person remained in the water. It is understood that a man entered the water with a view to saving the woman but was unable to do so. After leaving the water, he then contacted the emergency services. The Shannon coastguard helicopter Rescue 115 was also tasked to assist in the rescue operation. However, the helicopter was stood down while en route to the scene as the RNLI had recovered the woman from the water. Five …

KILRUSH RNLI was put on standby for a short period this Monday following a report that an aircraft was experiencing difficulties on its approach to Shannon Airport. The volunteer lifeboat crew was contacted by Valentia Coast Guard at 11.50am and made aware that the plane, described as an air to air refueller, was experiencing engine trouble as it made its way across the Atlantic. John Lamb, Kilrush RNLI Lifeboat operations manager requested the station’s volunteer crew to launch and remain on standby. Within minutes, crew members were geared up and the lifeboat was launched. Valentia Coast Guard was informed and the crew remained on the water awaiting instructions. At 12.35pm, the plane made a safe landing at Shannon Airport. The Coast Guard requested the lifeboat and the crew to stand down. Speaking following the call out, Kilrush RNLI helm, Pauline Dunleavy said, “Thankfully, the aircraft was able to make a safe landing this afternoon. It is at times like these …