This article is from page 21 of the 2011-07-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 21 JPG
A THREE-hour search involving 16 members of Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard, as well as gardaí from Gort and members of the public, was stood down on Saturday evening without a sign anyone in difficulty.
A local wind surfer raised the alarm just after 6pm on Saturday evening after he saw what he believed to be a hand rising up above the water in the shallow water at Trácht Beach between Ballyvaughan and Kinvara.
The Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard launched the smaller D-Class boat to search the area along with six shoreline search teams.
The Shannon-based coastguard helicopter was also called to the location but after nothing was found the search was stood down shortly after 9pm.
Meanwhile, earlier that evening the coastguard was called to bring three anglers who were spotted in a dangerous location at a cliff at Trá Leathan near Doolin. The anglers were fishing and despite the dangerous storm surge had started a barbecue on the exposed cliff.
“The coastguard was tasked by the harbour master to bring the three angler to safety. They were fishing off the rocks and had set up a barbecue on the cliff,” said spokesperson for the Doolin Coastguard, Mattie Shannon.
“The weather over the weekend was very unusual for this time of year and people need to be vigilant when they are in coastal areas.”