Water safety appeal issued for Kilkenny after week of tragic deaths
A water safety appeal has been issued in county Kilkenny in the wake of seven water tragedies in seven days nationally.
In the lead-up to the August Bank Holiday weekend Minister of State for Transport, Hildegarde Naughton issued the appeal to anybody engaging in coastal or water-based activity to be safe and adhere to basic safety measures.
Today’s water safety appeal is being made by Minister Naughton on behalf staff and volunteers of the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI.
Speaking about the tragic week on Ireland’s waters Minister Naughton said “Last week we saw a total of seven drownings on the island of Ireland in seven days, the majority of which were on inland waterways.
“This loss of lives in as many days provides a stark reminder to us all as to how quickly serious accidents can happen.
“This Bank Holiday weekend we can all make personal decisions which will go a long way towards staying safe in the water, such as ensuring that swimmers are accompanied, not using inflatables, and letting friends or family know your planned return time,” Minister Naughton concluded
The Coast Guard has seen a major growth in demand for assistance this year and to date has coordinated responses to a total of 1763 incidents, an increase of 400 for the same period last year and 150 more than any year over the last five.
