By Chris Ashmore
A SPECIAL individual identification number – or code – for every beach and pier, not just in Donegal but all over the country, could help to save lives – that’s the view of a Donegal councillor who was fortunate to be rescued after getting into difficulty in the sea in the summer.
Currently neither beaches nor piers have an eircode or any specific distinguishing number and this can actually hamper the emergency services.
Now Cllr. Brian Carr wants to see Donegal County Council taking the lead nationally on the issue and to come up with an identification code.
Back in August, Cllr Carr and his wife Marie were enjoying a family day out at Tramore Beach between Ardara and Narin.
The couple’s son (10), and a niece (9), got pulled out to sea while swimming and when he went to help them, he too got into difficulty.
Fortunately, three local surfers came to their rescue.
Recalling the events at the November meeting of Donegal County Council, he highlighted how finding a location without an eircode or some identification can pose issues for the emergency services, and when time is of the essence, lives can be at risk.
He also pointed out that there are many beaches in isolated areas, such as Tramore and Dooey, near Leitirmacaward, and other popular places like the Maghera Caves near Ardara, which are situated some distance from the nearest car park.
Not only did his motion call for a review of beach access for emergency vehicles, it also called on the Council to provide an individual identification number or code for every beach and pier “to assist the public in accurately directing emergency services to the correct location in the event of an incident.”
Cllr Carr, who had been taken to Letterkenny University Hospital by the Rescue 118 helicopter, said that during the incident the emergency services had asked for an eircode. While a home eircode had been given it was a case of hoping a neighbour would see the ambulance and direct it.
He explained that his wife had been on the phone for seven minutes trying to explain the location.
Luckily, a local resident saw the helicopter and contact was made with Malin Head Coastguard Station and it was redirected.
“This is a big issue and I hope Donegal Co. Council could champion this and lead out. I am asking Donegal County Council to lead on this for piers and beaches – a universal location code across the country could save crucial minutes and could save lives,” he said.
He suggested that one option would be if a beach had a number designated, then the emergency services could look it up.
And he also made the point that having a code would benefit visitors and tourists as well, who may not be familiar with an area.
A number of councillors also spoke on the matter and backed his motion.
The meeting also heard that a system is in place that when you call 112 or 999 it automatically activates GPS on the phone and this helps with the location.
In reply to the motion, Michael McGarvey, Director of Water and Environment, stated that the council will consult with the Irish Coastguard Service and will go through the Climate Action and Environment Strategic Policy Committee and report back in the first quarter of next year.
“We want to get it right,” Mr. McGarvey assured Cllr Carr.
Donegal has more than 80 large beaches, of which 13 have blue flag status, while there are 21 designated bathing areas. Lifesaving equipment is regularly inspected.
However, it is acknowledged that there are many small beaches and coves, many of which have no road access.
