Sligo Bay RNLI respond to call out that transpires to be a hoax

As the incident was reported up river and inaccessible for the lifeboat, the crew were requested to standby down river, at the quays.
An intensive search took place involving the Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118 from Sligo, the Gardai and Fire Service.

The search was stood down when the incident was confirmed as a hoax call.

Speaking following the incident, Aisling Gillen, Sligo Bay RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer said: 'We always encourage people to call 999 or 112 if they think that someone is in difficulty in the water and we are always happy to respond and find that all is well and be stood down rather than not launch at all or arrive too late.

'However, we would appeal to people to not make hoax calls as they could hinder another emergency response to a person who in genuine difficulty. Responding to a hoax call also requires the same substantial resource in terms of personnel and equipment as a real emergency does so we would ask people to please not do this.'

Ends

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Aisling Gillen, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Sligo Bay RNLI at [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

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