Drivers block rescue service

LIVES are being put at risk and the critical work of one of the country’s busiest volunteer rescue services is being hampered by irresponsible motorists who block access to a pier in Co Clare.

For the first time in 22 years, the Doolin unit of Irish Coast Guard (ICG) was unable to launch its rescue boat for over 20 minutes after dozens of vehicles blocked its path to the pier.

Over a third of the old carpark at Doolin has been handed back to the landowner and a stone wall costing over €50,000 now divides the area. This has resulted in a loss of dozens of parking spaces which is being blamed as the root of the problem.

Earlier this week, when the Doolin team tried to launch their rescue boat, they were delayed by over 20 minutes. On this occasion, the crew was mobilised to recover a body from the sea. However, if it had been a person or craft in difficulty, vital minutes would have been lost.

The volunteer service recently took possession of a new, nine-metre, €150,000 state-of-the-art rescue RIB (rigid inflatable boat) which requires greater clearance than the team’s previous craft.

While the road leading to the pier is wide enough, inconsiderate motorists rushing for ferries to the Aran Islands, or just sightseeing, abandoned their cars along the route delaying the launch of the boat. Several cars had parked in two, large, clearly-marked yellow boxes, and when rescuers should have been on the seas, they were left directing traffic in an effort to clear a way to the pier. Gardaí issued tickets to several motorists who flouted the law.

Doolin ICG team leader, Mattie Shannon, said: “This was the first time in 22 years of the service that we were prevented from launching. We have a lot less parking spaces in Doolin now and people just park where they find a gap. For us, however, it is critical that we get to the pier unhindered and launch as soon as possible.

“We would appeal to the public who use the pier to adhere to the parking regulations,” he said.