Life as Cork City's lifebuoy minder: 'Some people take them as souvenirs to hang up'

Day 2 of her council worker series, Sarah Horgan talks to the man responsible for safeguarding Cork City's life buoys

Colin Russell framed through one of Cork’s distinctive orange lifebuoys as he carries out one of his daily inspections. Pictures: Chani Anderson

The theft and vandalism of Cork City’s lifebuoys has been a longstanding problem, but what is even more bizarre is the reason people steal them — including as souvenirs or to use as firewood to keep warm on a cold day’s fishing.

Cork City Council employee Colin Russell is the man dedicated to protecting as many lives as possible through his rigorous checks of the River Lee’s city stretches.