Efforts are being made to raise funds for the Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team which has seen a 40% decline in funding in recent years.

CLIMBERS and hill walkers throughout the country are being warned that an ascent of any Irish mountain was now tantamount to “alpine winter mountaineering”.

Two people have been rescued from the Galtee Mountains in Tipperary.

HILL walkers and others planning to head for the mountains during Christmas and the new year period were yesterday urged to take extreme care.

HILL walkers and climbers were warned yesterday not to climb alone this festive season after a series of tragic mountaineering accidents.

Donal Hickey