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Monday, July 27, 2009
AT least six children were treated for hypothermia during the annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick yesterday.
An estimated 15,000 people made the traditional Reek Sunday trek in blustery winds and heavy showers. Mayo Mountain Rescue Team revealed many parents brought youngsters up the 765m high trek in unsuitable clothing.
"We had to treat a number of children who were inappropriately dressed and cold. At least six were suffering from hypothermia," said team leader Colm Byrne.
"They didn’t need to go to hospital, but it was serious enough for them to be treated by doctors. Parents should not be bringing children on to Croagh Patrick in those conditions," he said.
The pilgrimage was led by the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, who started the climb at 7am with Primate of All Ireland Cardinal Sean Brady. The archbishop celebrated Mass at the summit under the theme of this year’s pilgrimage, hope.
While more than 20,000 pilgrims made the traditional Reek Sunday trek last year, it is believed just 15,000 climbed yesterday.
A small number of people needed medical attention for minor cuts and suspected coronary problems. One woman was airlifted from the summit with a broken ankle.
The national pilgrimage is associated with St Patrick who, in 441, spent 40 days and nights fasting on the summit.
At the nearby Knock Youth Festival yesterday, Bishop Donal McKeown, said we risk living in a world of soap-opera politics unless society engages with the realities and challenges faced by the human community. The auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor spoke about reports in the last week of hunger and destitution on the streets of Dublin, of spending cuts in health and education and of the breakdown of relationships and community.
He said the hidden hungers in modern Ireland are not for food for most people, as we are a nation that suffers more from over-indulgence than from starvation.
"Irish people are dying from too much food and drink rather than from a lack of either. But people are dying from a lack of love, a lack of identity and from a sense that the world is meaningless – or, at least, that their lives have no real meaning," he said.
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