Irish Examiner view: Double tragedy a grim reminder of water dangers

Tributes pour in for brother and sister who drowned in Ballybunion, Co Kerry

Tributes poured in for the two victims after the drownings at Ballybunion beach on Thursday. Picture: Domnick Walsh

The heart-breaking events at Ballybunion in Co Kerry, in which a brother and his sister on holiday from Roscommon drowned while the man’s teenage son watched in horror from the beach, is a sad reminder that open water is dangerous and caution is always required.

In this tragedy, strenuous efforts were made by emergency services. Lifeguards on the beach spotted a man in difficulties in the sea at around 6pm and rushed to rescue him as the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia Island triggered a major search and rescue operation including a unit from Ballybunion, the community inshore rescue boat, and the RNLI lifeboat near Kilrush, about 25 minutes away, in Co Clare.