Slaney Search and Rescue ‘baffled’ by council’s complaint

Slaney Search and Rescue volunteers are disputing a complaint made to local gardaí by Wexford County Council following a rescue operation during Tuesday’s flooding in Enniscorthy. The council reportedly complained the volunteer group “overstepped the mark” by evacuating residents from their homes.

Family Rescued During Flooding

Chairman Shane O’Connor of Slaney Search and Rescue said he was contacted by gardaí regarding the complaint. According to O’Connor, the council official alleged the group had overstepped their bounds by removing people from their homes.

The rescue operation was initiated after a call from Independent County Councillor Jackser Owens, who expressed concern for a family of three adults and a newborn baby stranded in their apartment on Templeshannon Quay. Slaney Search and Rescue ultimately assisted up to 15 families during the flooding event.

Founded by Harry O’Connor, Slaney Search and Rescue is a volunteer-based organization funded by public donations and regularly supports other emergency services in the area.

“It is frustrating more than anything else. Where has this come from? Common sense is not prevailing. It is like a slap in the face for the people of the town that their organisation is being treated like this by the council”, said O’Connor.

Council Cites Bridge Safety Concerns

Wexford County Council confirmed contact with gardaí on Tuesday to prevent public access to flooded areas with fast-moving water. Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe reiterated this on Friday.

Taaffe praised the work of Slaney Search and Rescue, noting they were transporting people safely and taking precautions. However, he explained that council officials requested they cease ferrying people across the floodwater due to concerns about the structural integrity of the old bridge.

“Our roads engineers had a fear about the structural integrity of the walls of the old bridge and that is why we decided to close it to pedestrian traffic. It wasn’t what Slaney Search and Rescue were doing. It was the fact that we wanted to minimise that risk to pedestrians on the bridge,” Taaffe stated.

Councillor Owens plans to address the garda complaint at the next local authority meeting. He emphasized the critical role of Slaney Search and Rescue, stating, “Who made the phone call, it is just not good enough. We have three adults and a baby alive today thanks to them. It was the only boat available that I could see on the River Slaney at that time.”