Warning after person injured following influx of mauve stinger jellyfish in Donegal

Stephan Maguire

Walkers and swimmers in Co Donegal have been warned to take extra care following an influx of mauve stinger jellyfish.

At least one person has been badly stung and had to receive treatment.

Following this week's high tides, a number of the jellyfish have been washed up around Maghery Beach.

Dog owners are also being warned to take care when out exercising their pets.

The operator of the local community centre, Ionad An Mhachaire, have issued a warning about the creatures which they say can cause a nasty sting.

Beachgoers have also been warned that the stingers are hard to spot, so walkers have been warned to take extra care.

A spokesperson for the centre said "It has been brought to our attention that the heavy seas yesterday has brought a lot of mauve stinger jellyfish onto Maghery Beach.

"These jellyfish can produce a very painful sting (there has been at least one person stung so far).

"Please exercise caution if visiting the beach, and they could provide a hazard to dogs as well.

"They are quite small and difficult to see."

The mauve stinger is a small jellyfish, but it certainly packs a powerful punch, with long tentacles and warty structures on its ‘bell’ full of stinging cells.

This species is common to Irish and UK waters and usually appears a bluey purple (mauve) colour with a globe-shaped umbrella covered in orangey brown warts with long, thin tentacles hanging down from around the bell, reaching a maximum of 3 metres.