Reek Sunday - Lives at risk

RELIGIOUS fervour is an admirable quality, but when people put life and limb at risk in performing a pilgrimage it approaches fanaticism. Like it or not, that’s the only word to describe the actions of hundreds of people who climbed Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo yesterday.

They did so despite being advised that the annual ascent of the sacred mountain was cancelled because conditions were so treacherous.

The problem was that so many people had gathered for Reek Sunday, a centuries-old tradition in honour of St Patrick, once one or two decided to defy health and safety warnings, it was inevitable others would follow. Conditions were even more dangerous than usual following an overnight deluge which made the going extremely slippy and unstable.

The level of danger increased for some who, in spite of the adverse conditions, climbed in their bare feet. Fortunately, at the time of writing at least, there were no reports of injuries to those who climbed in defiance of advice from expert climbers and rescue teams who came from across the country to assist them.