Mayo Civil Defence – Search Operations

8 February 2021

Mayo Civil Defence members responded to a number of incidents over the weekend (6th & 7th February 2021) in support of An Garda Síochána/Primary Response Agencies.

On Saturday morning 6^th February, An Garda Síochána, Ballina activated Mayo Civil Defence to assist in the search for a missing elderly vulnerable person. The Search & Rescue Unit immediately deployed to the site on the Crossmolina Road outside Ballina Town.

At 11.40am the missing person was found safe and well.  In addition to the six members including the Mayo Civil Defence Drone Unit who attended the site, ten others were available to respond and a drone unit were preparing for deployment from Roscommon Civil Defence. Communication was received from Ballina Garda Station on Saturday afternoon thanking Civil Defence for their efforts and quick deployment.

Following the operation in Ballina the Mayo Civil Defence Boat Unit travelled to Galway to assist in ongoing searches there as planned.

At 9pm on Saturday evening the Civil Defence Officer received a call from his colleague in Galway to request assistance again on Sunday 7^th February following reports of another person entering the River Corrib.  The Mayo Boat Unit returned to Galway City on Sunday morning and conducted searches throughout the day until 4pm.

As always we are indebted to our volunteer members, particularly during the current pandemic, who always answer the call when there is a need.

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