Longford swimmers rescued after getting into difficulty in the sea off Strandhill beach in Sligo

Four Longford swimmers were rescued after getting into difficulty in the sea off Strandhill beach in Sligo yesterday (Wednesday, June 21).

The Irish Coast Guard requested that Sligo Bay RNLI launch their Sheila & Dennis Tongue lifeboat at 2.28pm to reports of four swimmers in difficulty off the beach in Strandhill.

On arrival at the scene at 2.47pm, the Coast Guard advised the lifeboat crew that three swimmers had been rescued by local surfers but that a fourth person was missing.

The volunteer crew continued search the area until they were stood down by the Coast Guard, as the fourth swimmer had been successfully rescued and brought to shore.

The ambulance was also on the scene to assess all four swimmers.

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Strandhill beach has a very strong undercurrent and swimming is prohibited.

Aisling Gillen, Sligo Bay RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer said, "Thankfully this had a happy ending but it is important to always observe the signage and only swim at a lifeguarded beach."

It is understood that a local man Eamonn O’Grady was walking the beach and noticed the four swimmers (three teenage girls and an adult) in difficulty he called for help and raised the alarm with the lifeboat being launched from Rosses Point.

A paddle board from the nearby surf rescue locker was used to rescue the swimmers who were traumatised by the experience, with one requiring medical intervention after being brought back to shore.

Local councillor Sinéad Maguire was dismayed to hear of the incident which follows her recent call for lifeguards to be on allowed to patrol the beach which is a busy tourist destination to prevent such a tragedy reoccurring.

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Cllr Maguire stated, "Signage is insufficient so many people don’t notice it, we need lifeguards patrolling the beach."

She also called on the council to re-examine the decision not to allow lifeguards on the beach which she believes is imperative if other lives are to be saved. 

Praising the quick thinking and bravery of Mr O’Grady she continued, "We cannot continue to rely on the extraordinary courage of local people to do this job we need professionally trained lifeguards on duty."