Kerry Mountain Rescue help out on Croagh Patrick
Members of the Irish Mountain Rescue launching their new fund-raising appeal at the foothills of Croagh Patrick, Ireland's most climbed mountain, from left, Steve Nee, Galway Mountain Rescue, Paul Whittening, National Development Officer, Mountain... Credit: Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan
KERRY-based Mountain Rescue Ireland PRO Gerry Christie says that the annual Croagh Patrick climb should not be stopped, despite more than a dozen serious incidents occurring on the Mayo mountain on Sunday. Up to 20,000 pilgrims, many from Kerry, attempted the climb despite heavy cloud cover and slippery conditions, continuing a tradition with its origins in St Patrick. Mountain rescue teams from across Ireland volunteer annually with Kerry regularly sending a team of six to the pilgrimage.
On Sunday a total of 16 incidents were reported, most occurring on a slippery stretch three quarters of the way up the mountain. While Kerry's rescue team was needed to stretcher several casualties to safety, the PRO said it would be wrong to stop the tradition.
"People have been climbing this since Pagan times and if you stopped it there could be serious trouble, just think of the scenes we saw in Germany this week," Mr Christie stated. "People can't be wrapped in cotton wool but it is a matter of wearing the right footwear. For instance, I saw one woman climbing wearing a pair of crocs."
The day was also used to launch a national campaign to raise much needed funds for rescue services across Ireland and a new nationally recognisable donation box will be used.
Last year the Kerry service was called out to 36 rescues and as the teams returned to Kerry on Monday an operation was already underway.
A tourist in his 60s was on stable on Tuesday in Kerry General after falling 20 feet on Peakeen, between Molls Gap and Kenmare. Suffering an extensive leg break, the man, who had been staying in a nearby holiday home with his family, was airlifted to Tralee on Monday afternoon.
It is understood that he may have lost his balance and landed on a rock when trying to assist his son put on more comfortable socks.
- KEVIN HUGHES
