'A life ring thrown away is a life lost': Vandalism that could cost lives

A CORK rescue organisation and the Lord Mayor have raised concerns that thoughtless interference with life rings along the River Lee in Cork city could have tragic consequences.

David Varian, the secretary of Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery, said the group has removed 10 life rings from the River Lee in the last two months, unconnected to any rescues. The team made the discoveries during some of their routine patrols of the area.

Mr Varian said they are usually found in the river following busy weekends in Cork city.

The voluntary organisation works all year round to support gardaí and the coast guard on rescue missions. Mr Varian explained that incidents of this nature can be very frustrating and is appealing to those carelessly disposing of life rings to consider how they would feel if their own loved one’s survival was compromised.

“A life ring thrown away is a life lost,” he said. “In the last two months, we have taken 10 life rings out of the water.

“On a Monday we do something called sweeping, where we search the river.

“It’s always after weekends that we are noticing life rings floating down the river, seemingly for no reason.”

He is appealing to those responsible to reflect on their actions.

“The nearest life ring could mean the difference between life and death,” he said. “The person from Cork City Council who looks after the life rings is really good and he’s replacing them all the time.

“Our fear is that if someone finds themselves in trouble just an hour after a life ring is disposed of, they may not stand a chance.

“Throwing them into the river makes no sense. It makes me so angry.

“This could be their friend. It could be anyone. It can only be described as destruction.”

Mr Varian has personal experience of the trauma surrounding river searches. He was speaking more than 17 years on from the death of his brother, Kenneth, whose body was recovered from the River Lee. Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery had taken part in a 10-day search for Kenneth, which influenced his decision to join the group.

Lord Mayor Kieran McCarthy also condemned the behaviour, and pointed out that these actions also puts the lives of bystanders at risk.

“The person that’s there and watching someone drowning needs a tool to help them so their lives are not unnecessarily taken too,” Mr McCarthy said. 

“We don’t want to double or triple the threat.

“This is something the council takes very seriously because they have an officer who regularly checks the life buoys to make sure the ropes are not tangled up and they are all in place. I am sincerely asking people to think about the lives they are putting at stake.”