19/03/2010

Howth Head Rescue Drama Revealed

It has emerged that seven people nearly became St Patrick's Day victims, as they had to be rescued at Howth Head on Wednesday night after becoming stranded by an incoming tide.

The five men and two women were celebrating on a small beach in the vicinity of the Bailey lighthouse in Co Dublin when they became trapped.

The group telephoned the coastguard for assistance, as they feared for their safety in the fading light.

Ropes were used to bring them up the 50m cliffs by a 20-strong rescue team in an operation, which was completed just before 10pm.

A spokesman for the coast guard said the group had "got down into this particular area and they were unable to get back up".

He said they were involved in "some sort of leisure activity" but he added he could not speculate what they were doing.

"Needless to say, it was St Patrick's Day," the spokesman said.

The operation was run by the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre in Dublin.

The Howth Coast Guard unit was called and it sent out its cliff rescue team.

(BMcC/GK)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

20 June 2014
Two Swimmers Rescued By Coastguard
The Irish Coast Guard has saved two people after they were stranded on the cliffs at Balscadden, Howth Head. An emergency call was received by the Irish Coast Guard about two men who had been swimming were caught by the current, however the pair managed to reach rocks nearby. A tourist raised the alarm after hearing the men shouting for help.
01 October 2007
Search For Missing Diver: Body Found
The body of a diver missing off the Co Galway coast has been recovered this afternoon. The 42-year-old man was with three colleagues diving close to the entrance of Killary Harbour. They raised the alarm when the man failed to surface. Coast Guard, rescue teams, and the Garda diving unit were involved in the search operation.
14 March 2024
'Plan Ahead' For St Patrick's Day Events This Weekend
Belfast City Council has outlined traffic and travel arrangements ahead of this Sunday's St Patrick's Day event in Belfast. A number of traffic diversions will be in place in and around Belfast city centre. Visitors and participants are advised to plan their journey in advance and leave extra time to travel to and from the city centre.
13 March 2024
First And Deputy First Minister To Celebrate St Patrick's Day In US
The First and Deputy First Minister will travel to the United States this week for a series of St Patrick's Day engagements in Washington DC. The visit will focus on showcasing the local economy and develop key relationships and networks across the U.S. Ministers will attend the NI Bureau Breakfast, Ireland Funds Gala, a meeting with the U.S.
29 September 2009
Rescue Team Recover Body Of Lost Hiker
A mountain rescue team has recovered the body of the hiker who had gone missing on a Connemara mountain. The 59-year-old hiker's body could not be recovered for almost 24 hours because of the inaccessibility of the location where he had fallen at the weekend.