Following a period of poor weather, storms and heavy rainfall, the Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and the RNLI are reminding the public that checking weather and sea conditions is a critical first step before any coastal or water-based activity.

The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and the RNLI are jointly appealing to anyone planning a festive dip over the upcoming Christmas period, to be mindful of the potential risks and to put safety first.

As the bank holiday approaches, the Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) collectively urge the public to prioritise safety when engaging in water activities.

The Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland are pleading with swimmers and particularly those who may be visiting an area they are not familiar with over the Bank Holiday weekend, to learn the warning signs, read local safety notices and seek advice before entering the water.

Wexford RNLI came to the aid of a teenager who got cut off by the rising tide while swimming to a raft on Friday afternoon, thanks to the quick thinking of his friend ashore, possibly preventing a drowning on World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July).

With warm temperatures forecast for the next few days, the RNLI is urging people to be aware of the dangers and to know what to do should they find themselves in difficulty in water.

Water Safety Ireland has condemned the deliberate removal of lifebuoys near open water locations in Galway, saying the absence of the flotation aids could have fatal consequences.

The Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland are urging the public to take extra precautions in and around water over the June bank holiday weekend.