Dún Laoghaire RNLI Responds to Two Emergency Callouts Involving Six People
- Pat Nolan
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
Saturday 6 June 2026
DÚN LAOGHAIRE, Co Dublin - Volunteer lifeboat crew at Dún Laoghaire RNLI responded to two separate emergency incidents involving four adults and two children on Friday afternoon (5 June), rescuing three people from the water and escorting a disabled vessel safely back to harbour.
The station's all-weather lifeboat, Anna Livia, launched at 3.35pm following reports of a 4-metre rigid inflatable boat (RIB) that had broken down near the Muglins, south of Dalkey. Two adults and one child were onboard the vessel.
While the RIB's engine subsequently regained power, the lifeboat escorted the vessel back towards Dún Laoghaire Harbour to ensure its safe return.
However, as the lifeboat approached the East Pier, the crew were immediately diverted by Dublin Coast Guard to a second emergency involving a capsized kayak near Sandycove.
Two adults and one child had entered the water following the capsize. RNLI volunteers quickly located and recovered all three casualties from the sea before bringing them ashore to Dún Laoghaire Lifeboat Station. Paramedics and ambulance crews were waiting at the station to provide medical assessment and treatment.
Dún Laoghaire RNLI Coxswain Kieran "Colley" O'Connell praised the multi-agency response and highlighted the importance of water safety for families.
"We want to remind parents to ensure that children wear lifejackets that are the correct size and appropriate to their weight," he said.
"We also wish to acknowledge the local lifeguards, Dún Laoghaire Coast Guard, local Gardaí, Coast Guard Helicopter 116 and the National Ambulance Service for their continued support and co-operation."
The all-weather lifeboat crew for the callouts were navigator Lorcán O'Kane, Gary Hayes, Dan Philips, Hazel Rae and Ciara Doran. Andrew Collins served as Duty Launch Authority.
Busy Week for Volunteers
The latest incidents come after a particularly busy period for Dún Laoghaire RNLI volunteers, who were paged seven times in the previous week, including three back-to-back callouts in a single day.
Among the incidents attended were groups cut off by rising tides at Sandymount Strand, a damaged RIB between Bull Wall and the Green Lighthouse, an exhausted kayaker rescued from the water off Killiney Beach in the early hours of the morning, and two people rescued after becoming stranded by the tide at Sandymount.
The station also responded to reports of a person in the water at Bull Island and attended a call involving a sailing vessel, although a launch was ultimately deemed unnecessary following assessment.
Dún Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Aoife Ward praised the commitment of the station's volunteers.
"Our station is able to respond to a high volume of shouts like we've seen this past week due to the dedicated volunteer crew of both lifeboats," she said.
Ward also acknowledged the efforts of volunteer launch authorities and crew members who responded throughout the busy week, including Declan Traynor, Andrew Collins, Gary Hayes, Paul Cummins, James Traynor, Ronan Adams, Simon Wall, Ciaran Deane, Rory Bolton, Dave Farrell, Jay Farrelly, David Branigan, Kieran O'Connell, Dan Philips, Alan Keville, Moselle Foley and Nathan Burke.
Water Safety Reminder
With increasing numbers of families taking part in coastal and water-based activities during the summer months, Dún Laoghaire RNLI is reminding the public to wear an appropriate lifejacket, check weather and tide conditions before heading out, and remember the RNLI's "Float to Live" advice.
Anyone who spots a person in difficulty on or near the water is urged to call 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.
