Drowned men’s families make beach-safety plea

THE FAMILIES of two men who drowned in an heroic sea rescue called yesterday for improved lifeguard cover and more safety signs on the beach where their loved ones lost their lives.

The O’Keeffe and Herlihy families also said they hoped the tragedy at Owenahincha beach, in which Peter O’Keeffe and Jonathan Herlihy lost their lives, would highlight the importance of water safety.

The calls were made during an inquest at Clonakilty courthouse yesterday into the deaths of the two men.

In her witness statement, Peter’s fiancée, Anne Riordan, called for extended lifeguard cover and improved warning signs.

Lifeguards had finished their summer tour of duty at the beach on the Friday before the tragedy, the court heard.

A number of warning signs on the dunes above the beach, meanwhile, had been vandalised.

Ms Riordan pleaded with people to be aware of the dangers of swimming at sea.

Speaking after the inquest, Jonathan’s cousin, Brian Lotty, who helped coordinate the search for the men’s bodies, backed Ms Riordan’s calls.

“A lot of people still go swimming in September, especially at weekends.

“It would be great if lifeguards were on duty at the beach at weekends in September,” he said.

He said he hoped the council would “have the good sense” to place warning signs in areas that were dangerous for swimming.

He also revealed that the money in the Jonathan Herlihy Fund set up in the wake of the tragedy will be used to support coast guard crews in West Cork.

“We have been in contact with the office of Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin with a view to establishing how best this fund can be spent,” he said.

Jonathan Herlihy Fund, AIB Glanmire. Sort Code: 93-41-78. A/C: 66213188.