Appeal for brave kayakers who saved dog after fall from Dublin cliff
A woman has thanked brave kayakers who saved her dog's life after it fell from a cliff in Dublin.
When Anne Lynch was walking along the cliffs of Howth with her dogs Rollie and Sugar back in March, she turned a bend on the cliff walk when she realised that the Pomeranian, who was a bit ahead of her, was nowhere to be seen.
After a brief search, Anne was told by a passing couple that the dog had fallen over the cliff edge.
Rollie from Sutton who is recovering from falling off a cliff at Howth… His owner, Anne, is desperate to find the kayakers that saved him… 0818 715 815 if you know who it is! pic.twitter.com/deg7LsrGHo — Liveline (@rteliveline) May 27, 2025
'We obviously panicked, and laid down on our bellies to see if he'd poke out, but he didn't,' Anne told Liveline. 'After a couple of minutes of trying to call him, I called the Gardaí while my partner stayed [on the cliff].'
After calling out for Rollie for another few minutes, Anne said that her partner spotted four kayakers along the water from the north — and after thinking that they were just waving at them, the kayakers confirmed that they were able to see little Rollie, and that he was alive.
'We couldn't really see down the cliff; it jutted out a little bit,' Anne explained. 'So we were hoping that he'd wander out, but he wasn't moving. The kayaker jumped out of his kayak, and put Rollie between his legs and started paddling away.' A woman has thanked b/irave kayakers who saved her dog's life after her beloved pooch fell from a cliff in Dublin. Pic: Liveline/X
After being told to meet them at the Sutton Dinghy Club, Anne and her partner could see the kayakers with Rollie in tow; confirming that he was alive but was bleeding and needed a vet.
'He was awake but obviously in shock. He was very quiet, but was awake and looking at us,' Anne added, saying that they brought him straight to the vet — but rushed off without being able to properly thank them for saving their pooch.
As for Rollie's injury, an x-ray the next day found that Rollie suffered a number of injuries, including a liver rupture and rib injury, but after surgery, Anne said he's doing well — and despite being an injured pup, Rollie is still able to go on his morning walks with his family; albeit via a different method. Little Rollie miraculously survived the fall, and was rescued by passing kayakers — with Anne hoping that she'll be able to properly thank the people who saved her dog's life. Pic: Liveline/X
'He's a very active little dog, and he wanted to go on all our regular morning walks, so my sister in law sent us a buggy for him, a special dog buggy,' Anne laughed. 'So we drive him around every morning with our border collie so he doesn't miss out.
'We went to a wonderful vet, the Dublin Bay Vets, and we can't thank them enough.'
While Rollie is recovering at home, Anne added that if it wasn't for the kayakers, he would've been a goner; saying, 'I think we would've hoped to get help from the Gardaí or the RNLI… we would've had to start figuring out how to get down'
'We just want to say to [the kayakers], we just want to apologise for not getting their names or numbers, but let them know that Rollie is safe, and you saved his life.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Roads policing numbers at historic low of 618 gardaí, figures show
The number of gardaí involved in roads policing units has dropped to a historic low of 618 according to the latest Department of Justice figures. There has been a steady decline since 2009 when official figures for those engaged in roads policing began to be regularly published. That year 1,046 gardaí were assigned to road policing duties and the numbers involved fell to a low of 623 in 2017. They rose over the next four years to 736 in 2021 but have fallen again, down to 627 last year. In January this year the number of gardaí in the units dropped to 626, to 623 in February and was down to 618 by the end of April. READ MORE Every region and county has seen the number of roads policing gardaí drop, in some cases by more than 50 per cent since 2009. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris told the Oireachtas Transport Committee in May last year 'we plan to add 75 gardaí to roads policing this year and a further 75 in 2025, and working towards this, we are proactively recruiting into our roads policing units'. A recruitment campaign was undertaken in eastern, north-western and southern regions last year. But Susan Gray of road safety campaign group Parc said the figures show a reduction of nine members at the end of April compared to last year. 'They are just playing catch up all the time.' The figures show the Sligo/Leitrim Garda Division had 23 members in 2021, but it was down to 11 in February this year. Donegal had 31 Garda roads policing members in 2021, which fell to 21 last year, a reduction of 10 officers in three years. Official Road Safety Authority data shows 17 road deaths in Donegal last year, 'the highest number since 2010 when 19 died', Ms Gray said. Sixty-nine people have died on Irish roads so far this year, she said. In the Dublin Metropolitan Area the numbers have dropped from their 2009 high but have remained consistent over the last two to three years. In Dublin's eastern region which goes from Dún Laoghaire to Stepaside and takes in Dundrum, Blackrock, Shankill and Cabinteely, the numbers dropped from 18 in 2009 to four in 2023 and rose to nine the following year, where they have remained. In Laois/Offaly there were 42 dedicated roads policing officers in 2009 which fell to 24 in 2023 and dropped to 18 in April this year. 'It is very disappointing,' said Ms Gray. 'Everybody talks about road safety being a priority and everywhere we look it's obvious it's not a priority,' she said. 'We hoped to see the figures going up rather than down for gardaí involved in roads policing.'
Sunday World
6 hours ago
- Sunday World
Tributes paid to motorcyclist who died following crash that killed Garda Kevin Flatley
'I saw him, a beautiful young man, in Beaumont Hospital, surrounded by an incredible team, fighting to save his life' Tributes have been paid to the motorcyclist who died in hospital over the weekend following a crash which also claimed the life of Garda Kevin Flatley. Izzet Can Berber, aged in his thirties, was involved in the fatal collision which occurred at Dublin speed checkpoint on the R132 at Lissenhall near Swords, North Dublin last month. Garda Kevin Flatley became the 90th officer to die in the line of duty in Ireland when he was hit by the motorcyclist during the collision on Sunday, May 11. Gardaí confirmed on Sunday morning that the motorcyclist involved in the collision had died as a result of his injuries in hospital. Garda Kevin Flatley According to a notice on Izzet Can Berber, of Balgriffin, Dublin 13 and formerly of Turkey and late of the Elliott Group (died) 'peacefully, in the wonderful care of staff in the ICU Unit in Beaumont Hospital with his loving wife by his side'. Predeceased by his parents Ayse and Ozer, he is the 'beloved husband of Caitríona'. 'Very sadly missed by his loving wife, his adored children Daniel, Emily and Kuzey, sister Gunes, parents-in-law Gerry and Patricia, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and his wide circle of friends in the motorbike community,' the notice reads It adds: Huzur içinde uyusun (may he rest in peace) A donation box will be in the funeral home with all donations going to the staff in the ICU unit in Beaumont Hospital while funeral arrangements will follow. In the condolences section one, person wrote: 'Such an unfortunate tragedy for both' while another offered: 'Deepest sympathy to Izzet's wife and family thinking of you all at this incredibly sad time. 'I saw him, a beautiful young man, in Beaumont Hospital, surrounded by an incredible team, fighting to save his life. 'May he always be an inspiration to his children, a family man with a great work ethic, unfortunately taken in the prime of his life.' Another offers: 'Our heartfelt sympathy to you, the children, yours and Jan's immediate and extended family and friends. Pictured: Izzet Can Berber (from News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 'You radiated positivity and gave us tremendous support and incredible encouragement in the midst of your own trauma. Thank you so much for that.' 'I am deeply sorry for your loss,' another mourner wrote. 'There are no words that can truly ease the pain of losing someone so dear, but please know that my heart is with you, your three beautiful children and all Can's family during this incredibly difficult time. 'Can's memory will always live on through the love he gave through your beautiful family.' In a statement shared earlier with DublinLive, Mr Berber's wife Caitriona said: "He passed away peacefully holding my hand on Saturday night. "He was an amazing husband and even more amazing father to his son and two stepchildren. "And we are internally grateful to all our friends and family for the support over the last three weeks and also want to thank the doctors and nurses in ICU who did everything in their power to save him and support our family though his time there." Garda Family Liaison Officers are providing ongoing support and information to both the Flatley and Berber families. Gardaí say investigations are ongoing.
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Man, 80s, dies in horror early-morning house fire in Co Westmeath as gardai launch probe after rushing to scene
A MAN, aged in his 80s, has died in a house fire in Co Westmeath. The pensioner was pronounced dead at the scene of the blaze at a home in the Gilbertstown area, near Castlepollard, in the early hours of this morning. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to the mortuary at Regional Hospital Mullingar. A post-mortem examination is expected to take place in due course. Gardaí have since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire but it is understood that foul play is not suspected. READ MORE IRISH NEWS In a statement this afternoon, a garda spokesperson said: "Gardai are investigating the death of a man aged in his 80s following a fire that occurred at a residence in the Gilbertstown area of Castlepollard, Co. "The man was pronounced deceased at the scene. "His body was removed to the mortuary at Mullingar Mortuary where a post mortem examination is due to take place." The incident comes a day after the MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Jacobs had previously spent 17 years behind bars after she was wrongfully convicted of the murder of two police officers in the . Gardai and emergency services Sunny and her carer Kevin were the only people in the property at the time of the fire. GARDA APPEAL Three units of the County Galway Fire Service along with crews from Galway city and An Cheathrú Rua tackled the blaze. Their bodies were taken to University Hospital Galway for post-mortem examinations. A garda spokesperson said: 'The results of the postmortems, along with the findings of the technical examination, will determine the course of the Garda investigation.' Sunny has been remembered as a 'hero' and 'champion for justice' by mourners following her passing. One person said: "What a sad sad day. Until we meet again, One Love Sunny." Gardai are appealing for witnesses of the fire to come forward. A garda spokesperson said: 'Anyone with information is asked to contact Clifden Garda Station on 095 22500, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.' 1 Gardai attended the scene of both house fires Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
