Damage to liferings on Dee could lead to manslaughter case
ARDEE councillor Jim Tenanty has branded the destruction of liferings along the banks of the river Dee as ‘ thuggery and vandalism’.
In a heated statement at last week’s area meeting, he said that up to a dozen of the liferings had been vandalised and stands had also been the victim of arson attacks.
‘ This is beyond a joke. A family will be left without a loved one due to a lifebuoy being damaged. It is a criminal act and it’s manslaughter if someone loses their life.’
Three lifebuoys were stuck in the river at Dawson’s Demesne and couldn’t be retrieved.
Joe McGuinness said that the incidents have been raised with the gardai and covert CCTV could be used to catch those responsible.
Cllr Dolores Minogue said that down the years, two or three used to go missing but now she believed that 14 needed to be replaced. ‘ These save lives, they are not toys’, she stated.
Cathaoirleach Pearse McGeough said that people should report those they see tampering with the liferings.
Paddy Drumgoole, Water Safety Development Officer, Louth County Council, confirmed that 14 ringbuoys have been stolen/removed by vandals since early December in Ardee town, with 9 units disappearing between Christmas and the New Year on the River Dee between Bridge St and the factory.
‘ There is an unprotected riverbank along there and following an assessment of the risk, ringbuouys were installed to reduce the risk of drowning by members of the public in the event of anyone falling in to the river.
‘It’s frightening to think that the absence of a ringbuoy can be the difference between saving a person’s life or them drowning and makes it all the more difficult to understand the motivation of anyone who would engage in such an act of vandalism.
‘Irish Water Safety’s banner on the Ringbuoy boxes is “A stolen ringbuoy –A stolen life” is very relevant. We will continue to inspect and replace the Ringbuoys but would implore those responsible for the vandalism to desist from this reckless action.