Louth County Council condemns misuse of lifebuoys

Louth County Council is aware of a video circulating on social media that appears to show a lifebuoy being removed from its stand and thrown into Carlingford Lough over the weekend.

The Gardai have identified the individuals involved and are currently investigating the matter.

A lifebuoy is a vital piece of life-saving equipment, and its presence can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.

Removing or tampering with a lifebuoy is an act of vandalism that puts lives at risk and shows a total disregard for the local community's safety.

The consequences could be fatal if a lifebuoy is missing when someone is in distress in the water.

Louth County Council is fully committed to water safety across all waterways and locations in the county.

We urge those engaging in this senseless and dangerous behaviour to stop and consider the potentially tragic impact of their actions.

Anyone who witnesses interference with lifebuoys is encouraged to report it immediately to the relevant authorities.