Search and rescue cuts ‘will put lives at risk’

THE Government has been accused of putting lives at risk over plans to reduce the Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter service in the south-east.

Local politicians and members of the emergency services have reacted furiously to the plan, which would mean the helicopter service would cease as a 24-hour operation and would instead operate for just 12 hours a day.

The plan, if implemented, would mean that after-hours emergencies requiring helicopter rescue would have to be fielded by the Dublin service, adding to the response time.