‘Shocking thrill-seekers’ accused of putting lives of others at risk
SWIMMERS who took to Galway Bay during Hurricane Ophelia have been criticised for putting their lives and the lives of others in jeopardy.
As the gale force winds swept the country, footage emerged of a small number of swimmers taking to the choppy waters and diving from Blackrock tower.
Gardaí attended to clear the prom of walkers, and get swimmers out the choppy waters.
They described the actions as high-risk and unacceptable.
Officers were forced to issue repeated warnings to people to stay away from Salthill, Seapoint, Spanish Arch and Galway Docks after a number of people ignored the advice.
Irate members of the public also berated the swimmers on social media, warning they were risking the lives of emergency service personnel and Coast Guard volunteers.
One of those who took a dip in the Atlantic was Timmy Flaherty (72), from Claddagh. Towelling himself off in the relative shelter of the changing hut at Salthill, he said he expected a backlash for his exploits.
“I’d go along with them alright, but it’s up to each individual. Whatever turns you on,” he said. “I’ll never panic no matter what. It’s super.”
Mr Flaherty accepted there was a significant risk of being injured trying to climb the steps out of the water.
“There’s nothing wrong with the water. It’s getting back into the tower, that’s the trouble,” he said. “You’re safe enough in the water – if you don’t panic. The secret of the whole thing is not to panic.”
Galway City Council closed the promenade to traffic from 11am yesterday, while nearby businesses closed their doors and barricaded their buildings against the surging sea waters.
But that did not stop a number of people from taking to the sea along the prom.
Brendan McGrath, chief executive of Galway City Council, warned people to heed the call to avoid these areas, saying they were using scarce resources to monitor them which were needed elsewhere.
He also hit out at a Facebook page urging people to gather at Spanish Arch in Galway city to watch the storm and have a few drinks. Mr McGrath described it as “utter lunacy” and insisted no such gathering would be allowed to take place.
Meanwhile, five windsurfers were behind an emergency services response off the Louth coast when they went out of sight.
Louth councillor Maria Doyle criticised the five, saying people were shocked at anybody putting the emergency services at risk. “This is thrill-seeking type of behaviour and it is shocking,” she said.