The Coast Guard has issued a warning to members of the public not to expose themselves to danger from high seas in coastal areas during the ongoing period of stormy weather.
The Coast Guard’s operations centre had received 112 calls from members of the public on Wednesday, it said, regarding people getting into difficulty on the shoreline in north Dublin, due to breaking waves.
A Coast Guard unit attended the east pier in Howth and advised people not to walk on the pier while waves were breaking.
Another unit attended the wooden bridge at Dollymount in Clontarf where walkers then had to be brought to the safety of the coast road.
“The Irish Coast Guard are advising the public nationally to keep clear of exposed coastal areas during the current storm conditions,” a statement from the Howth unit said.
“Locally in North Dublin we are experiencing particular difficulties with waves breaking three hours either side of high tide and people often with young children getting into difficulty.
“Importantly if you are trapped on a pier or on an island don’t risk the return journey across breaking waves to the shore, find the safest place then call 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
A status yellow wind warning is in place for Thursday, with strong and gusty winds expected, with mean speeds between 50 and 65 km/h. These winds will gust 95 to 110 km/h at times, Met Éireann has forecast.
The warning applies in particular to Counties Wexford, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford, between the hours of 7am and 2pm on Thursday.