Conway supports call for public to avoid unsupervised bathing areas

Fine Gael Clare Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Justice, Disability and Equality, Martin Conway, today (Monday) said he fully supports the Irish Water Safety (IWS) in its call for the public to avoid using unsupervised bathing areas.

Speaking on the Order of Business in the Seanad last week, Senator Conway expressed his concern about the number of tragic drowning incidents which have occurred recently, with eleven people losing their lives over the past month.

“I wish to express my deepest sympathies to both families and to the communities on these awful tragedies; our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.

“The majority of drownings occur inland where river and lake beds can be difficult to see and therefore extremely difficult to determine if you are swimming within your depth. With thousands of people enjoying warmer weather activities at waterways in Clare and across the country, there is an ever present danger that people will drown even in close proximity to shore and close to other water users.

“I commend the advice of the Irish Water Safety to swim only in an area that has a lifeguard and to be diligent about how we view water safety. Irish Water Safety has details of all lifeguarded waterways nationwide listed at www.iws.ie and I would urge members of the public to review same in advance of bathing or swimming.”

ENDS