OPINION: People could die in Kildare this weekend because of stupidity, not the weather

This weekend will be the hottest of the year so far in Ireland and thousands of us will flock to the sea and other water amenities like outdoor swimming pools. Some will head to local lakes, reservoirs, rivers and canals where there is a higher likelihood of tragedy, including in Kildare where some blackspots named this week.

There have been countless warnings about the dangers of water, especially the likes of reservoirs, over the years. They are issued every time we have a bit of sun. I’ve been working in the media for 15 years and every year we get them in press release and publish them to get the warnings out there.

Despite that, every year we see tragedies related to water during warm weather, quite often related to waters people have no business being in. It’s harsh to say, but if people are literally wading into these dangerous swimming spots despite warnings plastered all over the media and signs at the sites themselves, it’s plain stupidity.

When will people, particularly young people, get the message? It’s all fun and games sitting around with friends, taking a dip, until it’s not, and you or one of your friends are being fished out dead. It’s stark but sometimes these messages have to be stark to make the important point. We’ve all been teenagers and had that laissez-faire attitude, but you’re not invincible.

Just this week, we received a press release from the ESB warning people not to swim in any ESB reservoirs. It’s as if people have warning fatigue and just ignore the likes of this water safety message, despite it being a matter of life and death. I’ve decided to include that ESB warning in this article rather than publishing it by itself. Parents of teenagers should particularly take note.

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Martin Stronge, Senior Manager, Hydro Operations at ESB said: “It is important that people take note of the safety warnings which are visible on signs posted around ESB reservoirs. These areas are unsafe for swimming due to deep, fast-flowing waters, fluctuating water levels, and uneven terrain, which present significant hazards to the public.

“To ensure your safety and the safety of others, always choose safer swimming locations such as swimming pools or beaches with designated lifeguards.”

The ESB named some particular blackspots, namely the ESB reservoirs at Poulaphouca in Wicklow; Golden Falls and Leixlip in Kildare; Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid in Cork; the Ardnacrusha headrace and tailrace canal in Clare and Assaroe, Lough Nacung and Lough Dunlewey in Donegal.

The same message applies to other reservoirs, quarries, canals, rivers and lakes where there is no lifeguard on duty and the surface underfoot is not reliable; the currents unpredictable. It’s scary to think someone you love may not be alive next week, but it’s a thought you need to sit with before you head off to one of these areas, or before you wave your child off to one.

Don’t be next week’s tragic headline.

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