Calls for stronger warning at sea rocks after deaths

A coroner yesterday called for stronger safety warnings about an area on Valentia Island where upwards of five people have drowned in recent years after falling from rocks into the sea.

Coroner Terence Casey was presiding at an inquest in Caherciveen, Co Kerry, of Christopher (Chris) Murphy, aged 32, of Liss, Tullaroan, Co Kilkenny, who had travelled to the area for a weekend’s fishing with seven friends. His friends made heroic efforts to save him after he slipped from the rocks at Cool East, Valentia, on Jul 26.

The inquest heard how the group had spread out along the rocks that night, but came together soon after 10pm when it began to get dark. Mr Murphy was about two metres above the water level when the father of two slipped from the rocks.

Witness Richard O’Keeffe said Mr Murphy’s legs went up in the air and he fell backwards into the sea. They tried to reach him with their fishing rods, but he was swept out to sea by a wave. They could hear his cries for help, but he soon disappeared.

“It was all over in seconds,” Mr O’Keeffe said.

Three others members of the party also slipped into the water as they attempted a rescue. But, they managed to cling to the rocks as they waited for others to pull them out. Those still on the rocks formed a human chain to pull others to safety.

A coastguard search was launched for Mr Murphy and his body was recovered the next day. It was formally identified by his fiancée, Fiona Hall, the inquest heard.

Mr Casey said a map given to the group stated the area was dangerous and, following a previous request by him, Kerry County Council had erected a warning sign near the rocks.

However, he said it was unacceptable that people should continue to die while fishing from the rocks. He called for stronger warnings to be included in maps and tourist information literature.

A jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence that death was caused by acute cardiac and respiratory failure due to drowning.