A group of surfers one which was a Donegal man acting in a voluntary capacity saved more than 40 lives at Lahinch beach in Co Clare when no lifeguards were on duty, it has been claimed.

One of the fiver surfers was Aaron McGettigan a native of Donegal Town with the four other also named as Ben Bennett, Mike Paige, Ollie O’Flaherty and Richard Brangwyn.

With the good weather over the weekend beaches across the island of Ireland where packed and with many beaches having no lifeguards on duty as most are not employed until the summer which starts in June.

Green Party Senator Róisín Garvey said there were thousand of people at the beach on Sunday and the five surfers “could not leave the beach because they were afraid people would die.

A group of surfers acting in a voluntary capacity saved more than 40 lives at Lahinch beach in Co Clare when no lifeguards were on duty, it has been claimed.

Green Party Senator Róisín Garvey said there were thousand of people at the beach on Sunday and the five surfers “could not leave the beach because they were afraid people would die.

“They were putting people on their surf boards and bringing them in from the water,” and they did this voluntarily, she said.
“There were two-year-olds missing and one guy nearly had a heart attack,” she added.

Bens Surf Clinic Surf School Lahinch posted to Facebook

Great result. fair play to all who got behind the issue. need to nail it down for future years too. thanks all here is to a warm safe summer
lahinch today. NO LIFEGUARDS ON DUTY
1000s on the beach.
two missing toddlers. suspected heart attack. over 20 assists/ rescues from the water from volunteer lifeguards and surf instructors.
many swimmers advised and informed before getting into harms way.
Clare co co have no full time lifeguards till JULY.!!!!
Please help us keep the beach save
contact anyone of infulence to have this changed otherwise lives will be lost.
councilors. irish water safety. anyone.
lives were saved today lets not lose any due to inaction.
thanks ben

Clare County Council issued a statement saying that lifeguard services are due to start in the county next weekend for weekends in June with a full-time service from Monday June 28th.

“However in light of the level of activity at beach locations in County Clare this weekend Clare County Council intends to increase the lifeguard services, particularly at busier beaches, from next weekend where lifeguards are available for weekdays also.”