Rescue services warn of blocking access to beaches

LIVES could be lost in popular Kerry seaside areas because emergency services are having problems in getting access to beaches, it was warned yesterday.

Cars parked illegally on roads leading to beaches this season have impeded members of Ballybunion Sea and Cliff Rescue Service on two occasions.

The service receives an average of 20 call-outs a year and spokesman Omar Fitzell said minutes, and even seconds, were important when rescue operations were underway.

“Potentially, life will be lost if people continue to ignore parking regulations and abandon their cars on both sides of the Glen Road, in Ballybunion,” he said.

But, people are continually parking on both sides of narrow roads leading to beaches, blocking emergency services.

Mr Fitzell said rescue personnel in Ballybunion could not access their headquarters on the beach recently.

“They had to abandon their cars and race a long distance to help rescue swimmers in difficulty on Beale strand,” he said.

On the same afternoon, an ambulance responding to an emergency call was unable to reach the beach as cars parked on both sides made it impossible for the ambulance to go through.

A patient had to be taken from the beach by jeep and transferred to ambulance for removal to hospital.

In the Maharees, about 30km west of Tralee on Monday, gardaí ensured an ambulance could get quickly to a woman in need of assistance.

The 49-year-old English woman was among a party of eight which had been diving in the area. She was pronounced dead at the scene. It is understood she died from natural causes.

Meanwhile, Inspector Martin McCarthy, Tralee, said gardaí were aware of issues relating to access to beaches by emergency services.

“We’re in discussions with Kerry County Council on the matter,” he added.