THE IRISH Coast Guard has issued a warning to the public to avoid exposed coastal areas, following the death of a woman on the Connemara coastline yesterday evening. Rescuers said she had been scattering her sister’s ashes when the accident happened.
The woman, who is believed to be in her 40s, was standing with a male companion at False Bay, close to Ballyconneely, just after lunchtime yesterday when she was swept into the sea.
The man, who also ended up in the water, was unable to reach the woman and swam to shore to raise the alarm.
The Irish Coast Guard helicopter was despatched from Sligo to the scene, along with the RNLI Clifden all-weather and inshore lifeboats and Cleggan Coast Guard unit.
The woman’s body was located on the shoreline by Cleggan Coast Guard.
Gardaí were informing relatives yesterday evening before releasing her name, but it is understood that she was originally from Dublin and was a local resident.
The Irish Coast Guard director Chris Reynolds said that coastal areas would be very exposed this weekend due to south to south-west gales forecast for all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea.
The winds are expected to reach storm force 10 at times, and there may be local flooding.
Winds are forecast to moderate considerably by early Sunday. “Do not attempt to cross at fast running river or flood water fords, as they may be stronger and deeper than you think,” Mr Reynolds said, and he warned the public against walking on promenades, cliffs or other exposed parts of the coastline.
“Flooded urban areas may contain many hazards, not least of which include submerged open manholes and downed power lines.
“The combination of tides, forecasted gale warnings for the next day or so, high sea conditions and swollen rivers may result in very dangerous conditions,” he said.
