Pigeon flare sparks coast guard rescue operation

The Coast Guard has issued a warning after racing pigeons and a flare triggered a search operation in West Cork at the weekend.

A senior Coast Guard officer urged anyone planning to use fireworks, flares or Chinese lanterns to contact the marine rescue centre in Valentia, in advance.

“We would encourage people to advise Valentia of what they intend to use, and to give them the details of where, when and what duration their event will be,” said Dermot Sheehan, deputy officer in charge of the Goleen Coast Guard unit.