'A very happy ending for all concerned': Cork RNLI crew bring sheepdog to safety 

Crew members from the Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Station helped to bring a frightened sheepdog, who was in danger of being taken out to sea, safely back to shore earlier today.

The crew was tasked to help just after 4pm this afternoon when two people on the shore observed that a dog had got into difficulties on the sandbank off Burren Rock in Courtmacsherry Bay and was in grave danger of being washed away in a strong running tide. 

The lifeboat pagers were activated by Lifeboat Operations Manager Brian O Dwyer and within minutes the rigid inflatable station house boat was launched with Station Coxwains Ken Cashman and Mark John Gannon on board in addition to a number of crewmembers. 

A spokesperson for the RNLI said that the lifeboat very quickly reached the area where the dog was struggling in the water channel currents. 

"With the further assistance of local man Dave Edwards in another small craft, the lifeboat crew were able to coax the dog towards the lifeboat and finally crewman Mark John was able to catch the shocked dog and bring him to the safety of the lifeboat," the spokesperson said. 

The crew returned quickly to the lifeboat slipway where further crew members assisted with the safe landing of dog, Bonnie, to dry land.

Shortly afterward, Bonnie's owners, who had been looking for their precious sheepdog for many hours, arrived.

The Courtmacsherry lifeboat launch authority and press officer Vincent O'Donovan praised the individuals who had called for help. 

“Great praise must go to the two concerned ladies on the shore today who alerted the authorities immediately when they spotted the dog in difficulty and the fast response of the lifeboat crew which ensured that dog Bonnie was reached before being taken out to sea.

“It was so great to see the joy on the owners' faces on being reunited with Bonnie and thus a very happy ending for all concerned," he said.