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COLM PLUNKETT AND his daughter Orlaith were fishing together in West Cork on a beautiful summer’s day this year.
It was like any other day at their usual spot until a sudden change in the swells. A huge wave crashed over Colm, dragging him into the sea.
“Everything was white, it was like being in a washing machine,” he recalled.
I was concerned that my daughter was going to see me drown because I did honestly believe I was going to die.
The man’s lifejacket opened as soon as he hit the water and that brought him back to the surface. 16-year-old Orlaith immediately called the Coast Guard.
For the first 15 to 20 minutes I was swept by the current out to sea. I spent 30 minutes or so fighting to get air into my lungs while spitting sea water out of my mouth; as the waves broke over my head and the water ran down my face. Much to my relief the current then pushed me back towards the land and to calmer waters. My state of exhaustion and oncoming hypothermia prevented me from reaching the shore but my daughter shouted to me that help was on the way and, for the first time my spirits rose.
After another ten minutes in the water, a rescue boat reached Colm who was brought to shore with a life-threateningly low temperature.
The experienced shore angler says it could have been a very different story had he not been wearing his lifejacket.
“If you are not wearing a lifejacket you are as good as dead.”
The RNLI this week launched a safety campaign warning anglers to put their safety first:
The campaign forms part of the RNLI’s work to halve the number of accidental coastal deaths by 2024.
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Respect!
To defend an outpost with 150 men and no walls against thousands of armed attackers and have no fatalities….must be one of the greatest battles of the century, if not longer!
Wonderful idea….they deserve it and more.
The Defense Forces of today should count themselves lucky that they won’t have to go through what them poor lads did,in the Congo .
The Irish Defence forces are serving in quite a few unstable regions as we speak, the Golan Heights alongside the current Syrian civil war comes to mind, all it takes is for a loose cannon rebel commander to decide to engage them or capture them and then they’ll be caught up in a siege of their own.
@Mr KnowitAll: Your comment is pure ignorance.
@mrknowitall you obviously don’t have a clue of what our troops deal with day to day overseas….
Christ you haven’t got a clue MrKnowItAll , there is about 130 troops in the Golan Heights on the border between Syria and Israel right now http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/heroic-irish-troops-rescue-filipino-4131748
@Martin Fahy: Still better than the Congo.
I read it as him referring to the fact these men were abandoned in their hour of need by their command at home and treated like traitors after their return. Which the defence forces don’t have to deal with today (as far as I know). . . . But I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, he probably is just being a dick.
Mr knowitall you’re a clown rest assured today’s men and women will perform if needed. Same sorof thing said about Brit Army since 45 but performed OK in Korea, Malaya, Cyprus, Adenn, Yeen, Falklabnds. Afghanistan etc.
The Irish Defence Forces are respected by other professional armies. As Paul said its a big world wide military family who slag each. Other without mercy.
Respect to the survivors. If possible I intend to be at Collins.
Mr know it all if Liam has it right my apologies.
Hardy men there
FFS they all have free travel !!!!!
@Celtic Druid: Hi there – this trip is allowing all of their families to travel with them so that they have all the support they need for what will no doubt be an emotional journey. So, yes, the survivors are likely in receipt of a travel pass because of their age but they mostly need help and it’s to make this a big occasion for them by having everyone they love there.
Every time I read this story I become more and more amazed that there were no fatalities. A true credit to the men who were involved.
Saw The Siege of Jadotville on Netflix last night and was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie.
What amazing men to hold their position with no support or backup.
The only cowards are the Irish Government and the UN.
Very pleased these men will finally receive the recognition for their heroic actions on October 22!!!!
Respect to these brave men.our soldiers should not be in the Golan heights belonging to Syria but taken by Israel,who in turn gave US oil companies permission to drill for oil,and that’s what it’s all about,resources and greed.government pull our troops.
To The Heroes of the Irish A-Company
You Are the true spirit of Good men, gentlemen, Courage and true fellowship.
I would gladly Walk In to a fire With Any One of you brave men.
You Can ALWAYS Walk Proud.
Becous you were commandet by poor LEADERSHIP and came Home as Brothers.
To Your family, friends and me
you Will Always Be true heros.
Former FireFighter from Denmark
With love.❤️
Tonni
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