Latest news with #ConnieO'Gara
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Child airlifted to safety in Wicklow after drifting out to sea on inflatable
The Wicklow RNLI crew pagers sounded at 4.42pm on Saturday, after the Coast Guard received reports of a child adrift on an inflatable around 250 metres off shore from Newcastle. The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea under the command of coxswain Nicky Keogh. They then speedily made their way towards the location, but were stood down 10 minutes after launching. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin was already in the area, having earlier conducted a training exercise with the all-weather lifeboat. Having also been alerted to the situation, the helicopter crew had located the child and were able to airlift them back to shore. The volunteer crew returned to Wicklow Harbour and made the boat ready for service again. Speaking after the callout, Wicklow RNLI deputy lifeboat press officer Connie O'Gara stressed the dangers of inflatables at sea. 'The RNLI advise is to leave inflatables at home,' she urged. 'Blow up toys and airbeds are designed for swimming pools and not the open sea. "The RNLI urges against the use of inflatables as they can easily be swept out to sea. "We would also remind the public, if going on the water to please wear a suitable flotation device, and to ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty. In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'
Sunday World
5 hours ago
- General
- Sunday World
Child airlifted to safety after drifting out to Irish Sea on inflatable
The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea under the command of coxswain Nicky Keogh Wicklow RNLI are advising members of the public to leave inflatables at home when visiting the coast after a child had to be airlifted back to safety by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116. The Wicklow RNLI crew pagers sounded at 4.42pm on Saturday, after the Coast Guard received reports of a child adrift on an inflatable around 250 metres off shore from Newcastle. The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea under the command of coxswain Nicky Keogh. They then speedily made their way towards the location, but were stood down 10 minutes after launching. A file pic of the Wicklow RNLI all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea. News in 90 Seconds - August 12th The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin was already in the area, having earlier conducted a training exercise with the all-weather lifeboat. Having also been alerted to the situation, the helicopter crew had located the child and were able to airlift them back to shore. The volunteer crew returned to Wicklow Harbour and made the boat ready for service again. Speaking after the callout, Wicklow RNLI deputy lifeboat press officer Connie O'Gara stressed the dangers of inflatables at sea. 'The RNLI advise is to leave inflatables at home,' she urged. 'Blow up toys and airbeds are designed for swimming pools and not the open sea. "The RNLI urges against the use of inflatables as they can easily be swept out to sea. "We would also remind the public, if going on the water to please wear a suitable flotation device, and to ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty. In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Child airlifted to safety after drifting 250 metres offshore on an inflatable
A child was airlifted to safety after drifting 250 metres offshore on an inflatable while enjoying a day out at the beach in Co Wicklow at the weekend. Wicklow RNLI volunteers launched the all-weather lifeboat on Saturday evening (August 9) after being paged by the Coast Guard who had received reports of a child adrift in the Newcastle area. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin was also in the area having earlier conducted a training exercise with the all-weather lifeboat. The crew pagers sounded at 4:42pm after the Coast Guard received reports of a child adrift on an inflatable at Newcastle. The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea shortly after under the command of Coxswain Nicky Keogh. The volunteer crew raced towards the child's location, however they were stood down approximately 10 minutes after launching as Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 had also been tasked as it was still training in the area. The child was located by Rescue 116 and airlifted back to shore, while the volunteer crew returned to Wicklow harbour and made the boat ready for service. Speaking after the callout Wicklow RNLI deputy lifeboat press officer Connie O'Gara said issued an appeal to the public about the dangers of inflatables. "The RNLI advice is to leave inflatables at home," Ms O'Gara said in a statement. "Blow up toys and airbeds are designed for swimming pools and not the open sea. "The RNLI urges against the use of inflatables as they can easily be swept out to sea. "We would also remind the public, if going on the water to please wear a suitable flotation device and to ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty. "In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Journal
a day ago
- General
- The Journal
Child airlifted to safety by Rescue 116 after drifting 250 metres offshore on an inflatable
A CHILD WAS airlifted to safety over the weekend after drifting 250 metres offshore on an inflatable. At around 4.40pm on Saturday, the Irish Coast Guard received reports of a child adrift on an inflatable at Newcastle in Co Wicklow. Wicklow RNLI volunteers launched its all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea after being paged by the Coast Guard. File photo of Wicklow all-weather lifeboat. RNLI / Wicklow RNLI / Wicklow / Wicklow The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 was in the area because it had earlier conducted a training exercise with the all-weather lifeboat. Advertisement The RNLI volunteer crew made best speed towards the location but were stood down around10 minutes after launching because the child had been located by Rescue 116 and airlifted back to shore. Speaking after the callout, Connie O'Gara of the Wicklow RNLI advised the public to 'leave inflatables at home'. 'Blow-up toys and airbeds are designed for swimming pools and not the open sea,' said O'Gara, 'The RNLI urges against the use of inflatables as they can easily be swept out to sea.' O'Gara further reminded the public to wear a suitable flotation device if going on the water and to ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty. In an emergency, people should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
24-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Stranded paddleboarders rescued by Wicklow RNLI and Coast Guard helicopter
The volunteer Wicklow RNLI crew received a pager alert at 10.45am after the Coast Guard received reports of two paddleboarders who were in difficulty. The volunteer crew launched the inshore lifeboat Dennis-Audrey and the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea within 10 minutes. They arrived on scene another 10 minutes later in slight seas and in a light southerly breeze. Once they had reached the scene, the crew found that the two paddleboarders had managed to scramble up some rocks, but were unable to move any further. It was decided to airlift the pair from the rocks back down onto the beach. Both lifeboats remained on scene while this operation took place. Once the casualties were safely landed on the beach a joint operation between the Coast Guard and lifeboats began in order to remove the paddleboards from the area. This was deemed the safest action as it would prevent any members of the public trying to retrieve the boards, and also to help avoid any further call outs should they be spotted floating by vigilant members of the public. The boards were removed from the rocks by the inshore lifeboat crew with the assistance of the Coast Guard land based team and then transferred to the all-weather lifeboat. The casualties were assessed medically a d fortunately only had a couple of scratches. Speaking after the call out, Connie O'Gara, Wicklow RNLI deputy lifeboat press officer, said: 'This was a great example of multi-agency working resulting in the successful rescue of two casualties. We wish both casualties well and would remind the public, if going on the water to please wear a suitable flotation device and to ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty. In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'
