This article is from page 2 of the 2007-08-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE number of people that drowned in Clare has doubled in the last two years.
Figures released by the Irish Wa- ter Safety have shown a decrease in the number of drownings nationally, when last year is compared to figures for 2004.
The 2006 national figure was also the lowest since 1965. The number of drownings in Clare increased, how- ever, by more than 100 per cent when 2006 is compared to 2004.
In 2004, three people in Clare lost their lives by drowning, compared to seven in 2006. The three deaths from
2004 have been recorded as suicide.
It is not yet known how the 2006 number breaks down, but PRO for the Kilkee Sea and Rescue Service, Manuel diLuici, points to an increase in fishing tragedies off the west Clare coast as adding to the water fatalities in the county.
The Kilkee man worries that the number will continue to increase, if warnings relating to the dangers of coastal fishing are not heeded.
‘People have to be very wary of the sea because it is very unpredictable,” |stemncy-B(e
“It is best not to fish at heavy sea and only when the tide is going out and in locations that are safe.”
“If you are not local, seek local advice when fishing,” he advised. ‘People on boats should have proper equipment and boats that are seawor- eae
Accidental drownings were at an all-time high last year, when com- pared to the previous three years, reaching 53 cases.
Suicidal drowning nationally had decreased significantly during the same period, from 90 in 2003 to 63 last year. AS many as 15 drownings last year were “undetermined”.
So far this year, there have been 19 confirmed drownings, not including the loss of life this weekend.
Launching the Irish Water Safety
Report last week, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Tony Killeen urged the public to ex- ercise extreme caution as they take to the country’s waterways.
‘“W hile the 2006 figure was the low- est since 1965, it is still unacceptably high. Many of these tragedies are a result of complacency, ignorance of the dangers and a lack of training or AO) seLeyeerclelOveme)mr-NUMNNelacoMeency-b(O MH Ele Clare minister.
‘Education has a key role of play and I commend the volunteers who teach the public water safety skills which should ultimately save many lives,” he said.