Reckless actions threaten heroes

■ I was shocked by the video footage of a swimmer being rescued from a raging sea at Sandycove as the country was battered by Storm Emma and the Beast from the East.

Such reckless behaviour by the swimmer during a Status Red alert, endangering her own life, as well as the lives of her rescuers and, potentially, the voluntary and emergency services, causes the mind to boggle.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG), under the chairmanship of Seán Hogan, gave an unequivocal directive to people to remain indoors and to avoid risk.

The emergency and voluntary services locally and nationally did a great job from the outset.

The decisive central and regional leadership before, during and after the storms, the regular media updates, the good advice and the emphasis on safety was very reassuring.

During the recent storms, Ireland incorporated donned the green jersey. The wind and snow were met with resilience and defiance. In the face of adversity, we witnessed a country and its people at its magnificent and patriotic best. Emma and the Beast brought out the best in us. That’s why I’m so proud to be Irish and to live in a country where community, altruism, public service and volunteerism mean an awful lot.

Almost the entire population followed the advice of NECG, thus not endangering themselves or the emergency and voluntary services.

We are very fortunate to have such selfless individuals who regularly put their lives on the line on our behalf. They respond to all emergencies with the primary objective of saving lives.

In turn, their lives must never be unnecessarily endangered by the irresponsible actions of those who put personal entitlement before the common good.

Billy Ryle Tralee, Co Kerry