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Claddaghduff, Co Galway. Google Maps

Woman found dead after caravan blown off Galway cliff was a Swiss national

President Michael D Higgins gave his condolences to the woman’s family.

LAST UPDATE | 19 Sep 2018

A WOMAN HAS died after a caravan was blown off the edge of a cliff in Co Galway.

The woman, who was aged in her 50s, was a Swiss national.

Gardaí received a report of an incident at Claddaghduff, Galway at 7.45am today.

A search was carried out on the beach and after a short time the body of the woman was recovered.

Her body is expected to be removed to University College Galway for a post-mortem examination. The local coroner has been notified.

Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene at Claddaghduff; the Irish Coast Guard had been assisting with the operation.

A Status Orange wind warning remains in place for most of the country until 1pm today as Storm Ali sweeps across the country, with counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Galway the worst affected.

Winds are forecast to be strongest in the west and northwest with mean speeds of between 65-80 km/h and gusts of between 110-130 km/h.

Tributes

President Michael D Higgins said he was “deeply saddened to learn that Storm Ali has already claimed one victim today”.

As President of Ireland, may I express my deepest condolences to her family.

He added that he would urge people to heed the warnings by the authorities and take caution when travelling or when out in the open.

“I would also take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those, in statutory and voluntary organisations around the country, who are helping and stand ready to assist their fellow citizens, and who are working to maintain essential services around the country.”

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31 Comments
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    Mute Pat Butler
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    Sep 19th 2018, 9:54 AM

    Switch off the comments please Journal.

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    Mute Ciaran105
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:04 AM

    @Pat Butler: good decision.

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    Mute Jan O'Sullivan
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    Sep 19th 2018, 9:31 AM

    Rest in peace,poor lady!

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    Mute Alan Rothwell
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    Sep 19th 2018, 9:33 AM

    @Jan O’Sullivan: Is she dead??

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    Mute Jan O'Sullivan
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    Sep 19th 2018, 9:36 AM

    @Alan Rothwell: yes unfortunately the poor lady is dead

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    See 1 more reply ▾
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    Mute Alan Rothwell
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:12 AM

    @Jan O’Sullivan: Aw, just seen the update. Poor woman. So sad.

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    Mute Rob Madden
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:05 AM

    This really should have been a status red weather warning.

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    Mute Johnny Mason
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    Sep 19th 2018, 9:43 AM

    Why would Caravan be allowed to be parked beside a cliff ?

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    Mute Deirdre Cregan
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    Sep 19th 2018, 9:52 AM

    @Johnny Mason: a lot of caravan parks are overlooking the ocean.

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    Mute Johnny Mason
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    Sep 19th 2018, 9:58 AM

    @Deirdre Cregan: A Park would have safety procedures otherwise Caravans would be crashing into other Caravans all the time never mind off a Cliff

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    Mute Scottyal
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    Sep 19th 2018, 9:24 AM

    Oh God I hope she is ok and out of that caravan by now

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    Mute Maurice Mulcahy
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:03 AM

    @Scottyal: she died RIP

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    Mute Scottyal
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:08 AM

    @Maurice Mulcahy: So sorry to hear she has passed. I was the first to comment and at that time it said Gardai were alerted. Rest in peace. So tragic for her family neighbours friends.

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    Mute Roisin O' Reilly
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:05 AM

    Red warning please! One death is enough!

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:51 AM

    @Roisin O’ Reilly: Unfortunately a lot of people refuse to pay attention to weather warnings and prefer to whinge about it being an over reaction and nanny state etc., rather than accepting that tragedies like this are exactly why weather warnings are issued, and that it is better to be safe than sorry.

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    Mute Mona Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:58 AM

    @Sam Harms: maybe it was her home

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    Mute Traze Shallow
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:30 AM

    So tragic, rest in peace, condolences to this lady’s family and friends

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    Mute Pl O'neill
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:22 AM

    Did the poor woman have anywhere else to go to get through the storm ?

    I hope she did not feel that she had nowhere else to go .

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Sep 19th 2018, 9:33 AM

    Just been reported on radio that she died

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    Mute Elaine McSweeney
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:31 AM

    Immensely tragic

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    Mute Jonny
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:26 AM

    RIP sad news

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    Mute Dunn
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    Sep 19th 2018, 11:17 AM

    What a tragedy, rest in peace.

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    Mute Tadgh Carley
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    Sep 19th 2018, 10:11 AM

    @Paul Howlin: have some dignity and respect PAUL.

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    Mute Jan O'Sullivan
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    Sep 19th 2018, 9:34 AM

    @Alan Rothwell yes unfortunately she’s dead

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