Arranmore RNLI volunteer crew respond to four calls for assistance in one week
- Pat Nolan
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
Tuesday 21 July 2026
Arranmore RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crew responded to four requests for assistance in the space of one week after being tasked by Malin Head Coast Guard to three medical evacuations and a report of a possible person in difficulty in the water.
The first call came at 7.46pm on Wednesday 15 July, following a report from a member of the public of a possible sighting of a person in the sea, approximately half a mile from the lifeboat station. The lifeboat launched immediately and carried out an extensive search of the area for 45 minutes.
Speaking following the incident, Arranmore RNLI Coxswain Kieran O'Donnell said:
"Having searched the area thoroughly and found no evidence of anyone in trouble, we concluded that this was possibly a false alarm with good intent. The person who reported the incident did the right thing and I commend them. If you see someone in trouble on the coast or on the water, please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard."
The second call came at 3.30pm on Thursday 16 July, when the volunteer crew was requested to assist an injured person on Iniskeel Island, off Portnoo. On arrival, the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter from Sligo was in the process of airlifting the casualty to hospital for further assessment. Following the successful transfer, the lifeboat refuelled in Burtonport before returning to station.
The crew were tasked again at 9.12pm on Friday 17 July to assist an injured person on Inniscoo Island. After attending to the casualty, the crew transferred the injured person to the lifeboat before bringing them safely to Burtonport, where a waiting ambulance transported them for further medical treatment.
The fourth and final call of the week came at 9.22pm on Sunday 19 July, when the lifeboat was requested to carry out a medical evacuation from Arranmore Island. The casualty was transferred by lifeboat to Burtonport and into the care of the National Ambulance Service before being taken to University Hospital Letterkenny for assessment.
Reflecting on the busy week, Coxswain Kieran O'Donnell said:
"Firstly, I would like to wish all the casualties a speedy and full recovery. I also want to commend the lifeboat crew for their professionalism in providing casualty care and for their dedication in answering the call at all hours."
Volunteer crew involved across the four callouts were Coxswain Kieran O'Donnell, Relief Mechanic John McHugh, Senior Station Technician Philip McCauley, Sharon O'Donnell, Reamon O'Donnell, Mickey McHugh, Bernard John O'Donnell, Áine Boyle, John Boyle, Joe Doherty, Evan O'Donnell, JJ O'Donnell and Aisling Cox.
