South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association Blog

Meet The Team! (an occasional series)

2010-12-04T23:02:00.001Z

Name: Pat Holland

Lives: Cahir, Co.Tipperary.

Occupation: A lapsed archaeologist, ex-museum curator, now a development officer.

Interests: Still archaeology, history, but moving into psychology/personal development and life coaching over the last few years. Hillwalking, some diving/snorkeling, collecting too many books and leylandii hedge bashing.

In the team since: sometime in the late 1980’s. Things not so formal then.

Current position in the team: Elder lemon cluttering up the place.

Previous positions held: Deputy Team leader, Chairman, Trainee co-coordinator, pyrotechnic tester, IMRA Chairman.

Lowlights: driving home one night knowing we had not found the casualty on one of my early call outs was a sobering occasion.

Highlights: Finding the lost person! Being part of a great team that cares for each other and for the casualty. Witnessing the amazing achievements of skilled professional volunteers on major call outs. Knowing that the people coming after me know more than I did then.

Croagh Patrick, Letter to a Friend

2010-07-30T13:26:00.003+01:00

I`ve just returned from a weird and wonderful adventure with South Eastern Mountain Rescue. The annual summer pilgrimage in Ireland when 30,000 people walk the stony worn routes to Croagh Patrick.

This year is my first visit, and we travelled 6 hours north to sleep on a gymnasium floor in Rice College in Westport -camping indoors was how they described it - to rise very early and report to Mayo Rescue base and be tasked with work on the mountain. Teams from all over Ireland were sent up in shifts to maintain a chain. Studying all the different teams was interesting in itself.

The cloud came down and we had fog, drizzle and rain continuously until the mountain path was churned like ready mixed concrete! The devoted pilgrims looked like a procession of characters from some strange carnival. Many walked the long route barefoot! One scrambled on all fours. There were little ones, old ones, yoga gurus, the disabled, young roughnecks, women in skimpy outfits, travellers, an American wearing a T shirt with the slogan "I make stuff up" who held an audience all the way and confronted people with silly "Hey, don`t I know you from Tinselstadt in Germany?" then flashed his T shirt.

There were whites and blacks, fat and skeletal, cameras and TV crews, sponsored walkers, ancient eccentrics....mindblowing to watch all of this. And every so often we were given applause as MR crews "doing the good work" (unquote), carrying such heavy loads etc. - mildly embarrassing as we plodded up and down.

We in our team did two stretcher carry-offs. There were 16 casualties taken off during our shift, which ended 6.30pm and the pilgrims were STILL coming up the mountain as the day was ending.

Amazing. Incredible. I slept hardly at all, and arrived home at 1am this morning, filthy, wet and worn out. I think I have my wife worn out replaying the tapes as I remember some of the sights we saw. There were three Germans, I`d guess, who, among the filthy laughing throng, came down from the summit with serious faces; Mum, Dad and daughter maybe 16 years old. They were in rain capes and were slow and immaculately clean while everyone else was muddy and dirty from falls and scrambles. We saw large grown women fall headlong among the rocks, caught off balance, and we had our hands full carrying a casualty already.

The team members were very supportive and we all enjoyed the spectacle and the work. Most amazing of all was to pause, stand and listen……to a sound like distant seagulls, the scrunching of rocks and stones, and the static effect it all created.

You can tell I`ve been impressed….

A huge thank you to all my friends and team mates!!!

Robin

SEMRA assists in major search

2010-06-28T22:40:00.000+01:00

This evening, Monday 28th June, 2010, twenty members of the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association responded to a call to assist in a large scale search operation in Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow. Earlier in the day, reports were received of a group of four young hillwalkers who had got into difficulty while walking in the area.
A multi-agency response, involving An Garda Siochana, The Coast Guard, The Air Corps, and The Search and Rescue Dogs Association, along with the Glen of Imaal, Dublin & Wicklow and South Eastern Mountain Rescue Teams, was successful in locating the four safe and well.
In fading light and deteriorating weather conditions, the team was stood down at 2015 hrs.

Rescue at Lake Muskry

2010-06-23T21:59:00.003+01:00

At around 2pm on Wednesday, June 23rd 2010, Gardai in Tipperary Town alerted the local mountain rescue team to an incident in the Galty Mountains in Co. Tipperary. Two hill walkers were climbing a gully behind Lough Muskry when one of them fell 10 metres and sustained a lower leg injury, his partner rang 999 and raised the alarm. A full team callout was issued to all members of the team and a mountain rescue 4x4 that was in the area at the time was very quickly on scene with rescue equipment and first aid. Two team members made their way to the accident location about 200 metres up very steep and dangerous ground to a ledge where the man had landed after his fall. As this was happening, the Irish Coast Guard S61 helicopter from Shannon had been tasked to go the the area and assist in the rescue. A mountain rescue paramedic administered first aid and when the helicopter arrived, it lowered a stretcher and one of its crew to the site. Working together they managed to get the man into the stretcher and he was air-lifted from the ledge and flown direct to Waterford Regional Hospital. The other hill walker was accompanied down to safety and driven back to his car.

SEMRA would like to thank the Coast Guard crew for their assistance today and also the Gardai in Tipperary Town along with its own volunteer members for their quick response.

SEMRA is a 999/112 24/7/365 day voluntary mountain search and rescue service covering all the south east of Ireland.

Meet The Team! (an occasional series)

2010-03-29T21:40:00.003+01:00

Name: Grainne Ryan

Lives: Tipperary. Proud to be from the Peoples Republic of Cork .

Occupation: IT Dept for a General Hospital in Kilkenny

Interests: Mountain Rescue, outdoor pursuits(mountains, climbing, running, ballooning etc...) reading, first aid, guiding, anything involving snow, helicopters. Overall having FUN in the great outdoors!! Partaking in exciting challenges to fundraise for charities close to my heart. Astronomy.

In the team since: Feb 2008

Current position in the team: Team Secretary & Full Team Member

Lowlights: Seeing my first mountain fatality on the scottish mountains during winter training.

Highlights: When the pager goes off, team friendships, the Lug callout last year, completing my Wilderness-EMT, seeing the gratitude in the faces of the people we rescue, being a small part of the BIG picture that is Mountain Rescue Ireland, learning loads of new skills/talents from extraordinary Mountain Rescue & other Emergency Services personnel. Seeing 100's of shooting stars in the Knockmealdowns on a night exercise.

Knockanaffrin Rescue

2010-03-29T21:29:00.003+01:00

At around 3pm on Saturday, March 27th, 2010, SEMRA was called out to deal with another incident on the Comeragh Mountains in Co Waterford. A member of a walking group had fallen and sustained a lower leg injury. The Mountain Rescue team issued a full team call out to all its members and within twenty minutes had a 4x4 vehicle and six members in the Nire Valley. The team also called the Marine Rescue Coordinating Centre in Dublin and requested the assistance of the Coast Guard helicopter from Waterford. The helicopter was tasked to go to the area known as the "Knockanaffrin Ridge" where it located the injured walker. After her injury was treated the casualty was winched aboard and flown to Waterford Regional Hospital. Mountain Rescue members accompanied the remainder of the walking group safely off the mountains.
This is the second incident in the Comeragh Mountains in the last three days and the fourth that Mountain Rescue and the Coast Guard have dealt with in the South East in the last ten days. Team Leader, Michael Power, said "for a voluntary organisation, the last few days have been very busy, but all the training we do with the crews of the Coast Guard S61 in Waterford means we can respond quickly and make the best use of all our combined resources available for the benefit of the people that were injured and lost".

SEMRA would like to thank every one for their help today, the Crew of the helicopter, the walking group, its own members, and especially all at Hanora's Cottage in the Nire valley for allowing the team access to phones, as mobile phone reception was very bad in the area.

Six rescued in two separate incidents

2010-03-25T23:13:00.006Z

Six people were rescued on the mountains of the South East of Ireland today, March 26th, 2010. The first incident took place at around 2.30pm on the Comeragh Mountains in County Waterford, where four people were air-lifted by the Sikorsky S61 Coast Guard helicopter based in Waterford. The four had been out walking when one of the group fell and injured his leg. The helicopter was tasked to evacuate the injured walker, and the mountain rescue team was asked to go to the area and assist if needed. The injured walker was transferred to hospital in Waterford.

Just as Mountain Rescue members were returning home, Gardai in Tipperary town alerted the team to yet another incident, this time on the Galty Mountains in Tipperary. Two walkers had become lost in thick fog and mist in the area around Galtybeg and could not find their way down. The Mountain Rescue team responded with a full team call-out, and set up an incident base at the top of the Black Road on the southern side of the mountains. The team sent rapid response search teams into the area and one of those teams found the walkers in the valley above Glengarra wood at around 18.30. The two walkers were very wet and cold but in otherwise good condition. They were given extra clothing and assisted off the mountains to a team landrover which transported them back to their car.

SEMRA would like to thank all the agencies involved today, SARDA "Search and Rescue Dog Association", Gardai, Coast Guard and its own members. SEMRA is a 999/112 mountain search and rescue team that covers all the mountains of the South East of Ireland.

End

Walker rescued from Galtys

2010-03-18T20:54:00.002Z

A hill walker was rescued on the Galty mountains on St Patrick's Day having fallen and sustained a leg injury. At around 2.30pm, Gardai in Cahir, Co. Tipperary, received a 999/112 call from a group out walking on the mountains, saying one of their group was injured and they requested Mountain Rescue assistance. The Mountain Rescue team (who were in Clonmel preparing to take part in the St Patricks day parade) went on full team call out and sent three vehicles and seventeen team members to the area, known as "Pigeon Rock Glen", where the accident had happened. SEMRA also requested the assistance of the Coast Guard S61 helicopter from Waterford and it was tasked by the Marine Rescue Coordinating Centre in Dublin to go to the area immediately. As Mountain Rescue team members arrived at the accident site, the helicopter also arrived and in deteriorating weather conditions, the man was winched aboard and flown direct to Cork Airport where an ambulance was waiting and took him to Cork University Hospital with a suspected broken leg. The remaining 10 members of the walking group were accompanied off the mountains by SEMRA members.

SEMRA would like to thank the Gardai, MRCC Dublin, the walking group, and the crew of the IRCG S61 for their help today and we wish the injured man a speedy recovery.

Carrigtwohill Foroige say "Thanks!"

2010-02-28T19:56:00.005Z

On Monday February 15th 2010, SEMRA received a donation of €911 from a group it assisted in the Galty Mountains last October. Following their rescue, Carrigtwohill Foroige wondered how they could thank SEMRA for their hard work in locating them on the night. The old hill-walking saying comes to mind "if at first you get lost, get back up that mountain" and that’s what they did, organising a sponsored walk up Galtymore. So the group joined four SEMRA members on a return visit to the Galtys, after which the money raised was presented to SEMRA Chairperson, Irene Codd, in the Mountain Lodge Youth Hostel in Glengarra Wood. The youth group was given a guided tour of SEMRA’s new command and control vehicle, “Sierra Victor”, which had its first operational outing on the the night in October. SEMRA would like to thank Carrigtwohill Foroige for their hard work and look forward to meeting them again.

Meet The Team! (an occasional series)

2010-01-10T23:27:00.005Z

Name: Terry Brophy

Lives: Kilkenny, originally from Wicklow, so Hurling jibes don't work.

Occupation: Gentleman Farmer

Interests: Mountains, climbing, biking, kayaking, Land Rovers, technical rescue, very rare steak and the team choir.

In the team since: 1994

Current position in the team: Equipment Officer & Team Clown.

Previous positions held: Training Officer, Deputy Team Leader, Team Leader.

Lowlights: The Air Corps helicopter crash in Tramore.

Highlights: Every time the pager goes off, any excuse to get out! The craic & banter in the team

Extreme caution urged for "cold snap"

2010-01-09T19:54:00.002Z

The South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association is calling on all hill walkers to exercise extreme caution on the mountains of the South East over the next few days. Team Leader, Michael Power, said, "as more snow is expected in the region we are urging hill walkers and climbers to stay off the roads and the mountains. Conditions under foot are extremely dangerous with ice being the main problem, even the best boots won't stop you slipping".

SEMRA on standby to help SANTA

2009-12-24T11:40:00.001Z

The local Mountain Rescue team here in the South East of Ireland is on standby this Christmas after getting a call from the "North Pole". Santa likes to stop off on the Comeragh or Galtee mountains where he gives Rudolf and all the other reindeer a well earned rest on their long trip. So just in case he needs a push or a pull to get going he has asked the Mountain Rescue team if they will help, so he can deliver all the presents to the girls and boys this Christmas.

SEMRA would like to wish everyone (including SANTA) venturing into the mountains this holiday season a safe and enjoyable trip.

SEMRA Trainees visit Coast Guard HeliBase

2009-12-07T16:24:00.004Z

SEMRA's most recent recruits were treated to a guided tour of the Irish Coast Guard HeliBase at Waterford Airport recently, as part of their preparation to become full team members. The visit included an opportunity to get "up close and personal" with the magnificent Sikorsky S61 rescue helicopter. This aircraft, with its distinctive red and white livery, has been the difference between life and death for many a person in distress on land and sea. No less impressive are the inspirational men and women who make up its crew, on the ground and in the air. SEMRA is very grateful to them all for the warm welcome received on the night and for giving our newest members, in their own words, "the highlight of the training so far". As a token of SEMRA's appreciation, a framed team insignia was presented to Dara Fitzpatrick (pilot) on behalf of all our esteemed colleagues based at Waterford.

The picture shows from left to right:
Matt Joy, Deputy Team Leader, SEMRA
Ray Bradfield, Deputy Team Leader, SEMRA
Christy Mahady, Winch Crew, IRCG
Dara Fitzpatrick, Pilot, IRCG
Mark McDermott, Pilot, IRCG
Mike Sandover, Winch Crew, IRCG
Paddy Looney, Deputy Team Leader, SEMRA

Coumshingaun Rescue 1.11.09

2009-11-02T13:15:00.003Z

At around 3.30pm on Sunday, November 1st, 2009, the mountain rescue team was alerted to an incident in the Comeragh Mountains. A lady hillwalker had fallen and injured her lower leg during an organised walk around Lough Coumshingaun. Two members of the mountain rescue team happened to be near where the accident occurred and went to her aid, and were able to direct more mountain rescue volunteers to the exact location. It was decided to call on the Coast Guard helicopter from Waterford to evacuate the woman.

The Marine Rescue Coordinating Center in Dublin tasked the Sikorsky S61 helicopter, which was flying over the accident site within ten minutes. The hillwalker was airlifted and taken to Waterford Regional Hospital. Mountain rescue personnel escorted the remainder of the walking group off the mountains to their cars.

This is the second incident in the south east in six days to which the team have responded. Earlier in the week, the team rescued twelve people in the Galtee mountains in Tipperary after they had gotten lost in atrocious weather conditions.

Galtees Search and Rescue 27.10.09

2009-11-02T13:02:00.002Z

In a major search and rescue operation on the Galtee mountains in Tipperary, twelve people were located and taken to safety by mountain rescue volunteers who came to their aid from all over the south east of Ireland. On October 27th 2009, the mountain rescue team was alerted by Gardai in Cahir when the group rang the emergency 999/112 number and requested assistance. The twelve, comprising of adults and teenagers, had climbed Galtymore earlier in the day, but had gotten lost in dense fog and mist on their descent.

At 1600hrs, the mountain rescue team issued a full team call out to all its members and set up an incident command post at the top of the Black Road, that leads into the mountains from the Cahir Mitchelstown road. By 16.30, the first search teams were on their way up the mountains to search for the group in what were described as terrible weather conditions. An incident commander was in mobile phone contact with the group, who were able to describe their position on the mountains. At 18hrs, up to thirty mountain rescue members were searching from Galtymore to Greenane, an area of 10 square km, concentrating on the southern slopes of the mountains. Because of very poor weather conditions, rain, fog, and very strong wind, the group were only located at 21.30 that night. They were rewarmed in team shelters and assessed by team medics, given hot drinks and extra clothing. When more mountain rescue members reached the area, the party was escorted to team off-road vehicles and driven back to their cars. All the group were very cold, but none needed hospital treatment. All the mountain rescue search parties were off the mountains by 23.30hrs.

SEMRA would like to thank all who assisted in this search and rescue, the Gardai in Cahir, and the Coast Guard Helicopter crew in Waterford, who had been but on standby, its own volunteer members, who worked in atrocious weather condition to achieve this successful outcome.

SEMRA rescues two children cut off by swollen river

2009-08-23T21:07:00.005+01:00

Just after 15:00 on Sunday, August 23rd, the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Team were contacted by Gardai in Tipperary about an incident in the Galtee mountains. A walking group of five (an adult and four children) had gone walking to Lough Muskry, and on their way back down, two of the children found they were unable to cross a river that had risen by a few feet in a matter of minutes because of a localised cloud burst. The mountain rescue team were training on the far side of the Galtees and within 5 minutes of receiving the call, had sent two 4x4 vehicles and its new command and control vehicle, along with thirteen team members and a Search and Rescue Dog team to the incident. The team also contacted Irish Coast Guard to put a helicopter on standby if it was needed.

At around 16:15 the team located the walking group, one member of the team made his way across the swollen river and was able to secure ropes to the far bank. The children were then put into harnesses and, with safety ropes attached, were winched one at a time across the river to safety. The children were rewarmed, given food and then taken back to their car. Members of the rescue team said they had never seen this river in spate with that amount of water, lower down the river boulders were being moved by the force of the water.

The South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) would like to thank everyone for their help in the rescue today, the Gardai, Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA), Irish Coast Guard, and its own members. We would also like to say well done to the adult and the children for doing all the correct things in the situation in which they found themselves.

Meet The Team! (an occasional series)

2009-07-29T23:36:00.003+01:00

Name: Bono

Lives: Co.Kilkenny

Occupation: Qualified SARDA air scenting search dog.

Interests: Finding the ball, sandwiches, going for a dip.

In the team since: 2004 - and I don't think I was the first pup to join SEMRA either.

Current position in the team: On a search, I do the work of fifty humans. I also try to be a good influence on Mick Grant.

Lowlights: Always getting the blame when somebody piddles on a rucksack. Being told to shut up at team debriefs.

Highlights: Getting out of the van for a stretch after a long journey. Giving the dogsbodies a good workout on training days. Keeping Irene Codd awake on Croagh Patrick.

Meet The Team! (an occasional series)

2009-07-29T23:16:00.004+01:00

Name: Mary J Mullins

Lives: Horse and Jockey, in Tipperary, “The Home of Hurling”

Occupation: Community Worker

Interests: When not on the mountains, long walks with my Red Setter through the fields at home, going to concerts, skiing, swimming, coffee with the girls, different kinds of coffee.

In the team since: Member of “Club 2000”

Current position in the team: Night chef at the winter training session, bread and butter pudding the speciality.

Previous Positions held: Secretary, Chair.

Lowlights: Bono’s bark, and my lunch disappearing when he’s around. Losing my “bad hair day” title. Returning from Kerry a few years back after we had not found the missing person; it was a very hard journey to make.

Highlights: Training as a search manager, and then being able to use its scientific approach to saving lives. Being part of a team that is going from strength to strength. Getting involved in IMRA and being elected to the national executive. Meeting President Mary McAleese. The friends I have made in the fantastic bunch of people that make up SEMRA.

Meet The Team! (an occasional series)

2009-07-29T21:57:00.017+01:00

Name: Ray Bradfield

Lives: Co. Waterford;
in self-imposed exile from The People's Republic of Cork

Occupation: Dentist

Interests: Music, chess, politics, amateur dramatics, history, poetry, astronomy, hillwalking and curries.

In the team since: 2004

Current position in the team: Deputy Team Leader

Previous positions held: Treasurer

Lowlights: Failing to appear bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at work after a fruitless all-night search over the far end of the Galtys.

Highlights: Friendship, abseils, off-road excursions, winching, banter, searching, finding, learning, teaching, leading, following; most of all, being accepted into the extraordinary group of individuals that is Mountain Rescue in these islands.

Meet The Team! (an occasional series)

2009-07-23T17:02:00.004+01:00

Name: David P O Brien

Lives: Co.Waterford (still not okay with admitting to a recent hop over the Tipp border)

Occupation: Teacher, or more often than not, a crowd control specialist.

Interests: Any outdoor activity, lifesaving, reading, anything emergency service related.

In the team since: February 2008

Current position in the team: Full Team Member

Lowlights: I am too new to the team to have a lowlight, but I do hate the fact that Jimmy Barry always gets there first.

Highlights: Croagh Patrick; the middle-of-the-night callout; coming off the Wicklow Mountains one afternoon after an all-night search in heavy snow. Just as we came below cloud base, the first sight my party witnessed was a RAF Sea King and the IAC AW 139 in the air together. We all just stopped and, I think, savoured a small piece of history.

I have read Dr James A Begg’s account of British Royal Navy Rescue Helicopters (based at HMS Gannet) in his book, Rescue 177, where he describes going to shouts in the Atlantic in the late 80’s and early 90’s. He refers to re-fuelling in Derry and flying very low along the shores of Lough Foyle for fear of being shot out of the sky. Haven’t we moved forward a long way in a short number of years?

Meet The Team! (an occasional series)

2009-06-24T23:00:00.006+01:00

Name: Karl O' Grady

Lives: County Tipperary ( just around the corner from Jimmy Barry)

Occupation: Life guard and swimming instructor

Interests: Rock climbing, mountaineering, cycling, swimming, Irish language.

In the team since: September 2005 - I joined at 17 years of age but had to wait until I was 18 to officially become part of the team and take part in training!

Current position in the team: Committee Member / Tracker

Lowlights: Going on holidays and coming home to find out that I've missed a callout. And not being old enough to drive any Team Vehicles yet!

Highlights: Hearing my pager going off for the first time and that buzz you get never dies. Helping someone safely down off the mountain and seeing the look of relief on their face. Flying in a helicopter for the first time. Navigating for a search dog and handler on callouts and seeing them at work. Friday night training up the Galtys that often went on all hours into the night.

Meet The Team! (an occasional series)

2009-06-24T22:39:00.005+01:00

Name: Irene Codd

Lives: Clonmel

Occupation: Teacher

Interests: Mountain Rescue (suprise, suprise), basketball, outdoor adventure stuff (hillwalking, climbing ...)

In the team since: 2004

Current position in the team: Chairperson

Previous positions held: Training officer and acting Secretary

Lowlights:Waking up at 4am to the sound of the pager (Once 4.05 comes i'm fine again!!)

Highlights: Croagh Patrick (I love to wake up on the mountain with Bono licking my face). Rolling down the hill with Paddy Looney in the Comeragh's. Telling Jimmy Barry what to do (my new favourite thing to do). Oh I could go on ... Doing MR stuff in the sunshine (its so rare!).

Legal Notice: The owners of this site wish to point out that the above named Bono refers to the well known SARDA search dog and not the lead singer of an up and coming Dublin rock band.

Meet The Team! (an occasional series)

2009-06-23T23:13:00.003+01:00

Name: Jimmy Barry

Lives: County Tipperary. Just ten minutes from the Galtees.

Occupation: Logistics Manager

Interests: History, poetry, canoeing, photography.

In the team since: 2000. In 1999 I met Pat and Roy when they gave a presentation about SEMRA in Aherlow. Pat invited me to the open night in Clonmel and asked me to bring along a few people who might be interested. Where did the time go?

Current position in the team: Press/Public Relations Officer

Previous positions held: Deputy Team Leader

Lowlights: Knots!

Highlights: Team mates. Friends in other MR teams all over Ireland, all over the world. Watching the sun rise from the top of Croagh Patrick. Sitting on Galtybeg at four in the morning drinking tea. Being able to say "it's ok, you're safe now". The support I get from my family and friends.

Waterford Flag Day Well Supported

2009-06-21T22:11:00.007+01:00

The sun came out on Saturday June 20th, for SEMRA's annual Waterford street collection, a pleasant change from last year when it bucketed down for the whole day. As so often before, the people of Waterford were very generous indeed to their local, voluntary, Mountain Rescue team. SEMRA could not exist without the funds raised at our flag days, and the kind words of support received are very much appreciated. SEMRA is grateful to An Garda Siochana, Waterford City Council, and its friends in the local media who helped to get the word out, also we acknowledge our colleagues in the Search And Rescue Dogs Association, who took time out of a busy training weekend to come and help on the day.

SEARCH AND RESCUE ON GALTEE MOUNTAINS

2009-04-27T12:48:00.000+01:00

In a major search and rescue operation on the Galtee Mountains in County Tipperary on Sunday evening, April 26th 2009, two people were rescued and nine were assisted off the Mountains. In a five-hour operation, involving search teams from SEMRA and a search dog team from the "Search & Rescue Dog Association" (SARDA), two female walkers that had become separated from a family group were located. The two, who were very cold and wet, were found between Galtymore and Galtybeg, in what was described as terrible weather conditions. They were given clothing and food and rewarmed before they were taken off the mountain. The remainder of the family party also became lost on Galtymore, but managed to make their way into the Glen of Aherlow. As the search for the two female walkers began, four other walkers became lost on Galtymore. Fortunately for them, they were able to make their way down the mountain and be picked up by Mountain Rescue personnel, or made their own way back to their cars.

SEMRA would like to thank two hillwalkers from the UK who gave assistance in locating the two female walkers, their intervention and help saved a lot of time and was much appreciated by all. Team Leader, Michael Power, said "very poor weather conditions descended on the mountains and people who were unprepared got caught out," he reminded people that if they intend to walk in the mountains, "they should go prepared, with map & compass and the proper clothing, footwear and food, and not to rely on mobile phones to get out of trouble."

SEMRA features on Nationwide

2009-04-24T13:42:00.005+01:00

Members of South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association made their TV debuts recently when a team training day was featured in a special edition of Nationwide, RTE's long-running magazine programme. A camera crew followed the team as it went through a real-time scenario which involved deployment of personnel and equipment by the Coast Guard Sikorsky S61 helicopter, followed by a search and rescue.

Search in Wicklow

2009-02-10T22:01:00.003Z

In total, fifteen volunteer members of the team took part in the large-scale search for the two men who were lost, and subsequently air-lifted off Lugnaquilla this evening. SEMRA Team Leader, Michael Power, said he was proud of the commitment and dedication of the members of the team. When the pagers went off last night ten members were on their way to help in the first hour, and another five followed with team vehicles this morning. Working in some of the worst conditions ever seen on Irish mountains, mountain rescue volunteers from all over Ireland, North and South, along with two teams from Wales, managed to locate and evacuate the men to a location where they could be air-lifted to safety. Well done to all who helped over the last two days, not least for exemplifying the qualities we should value in the times ahead.

SEMRA Members Attend 2009 IMRA AGM

2009-01-27T22:45:00.005Z

The 2009 Irish Mountain Rescue Conference & AGM took place in the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, County Down, hosted by the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team.

The SEMRA delegation is pictured here with distinguished guests. From left: Jimmy Barry, PRO SEMRA; Garry Farrell, Honorary Secretary, SEMRA; Deputy Mayor of Newry and Mourne City Council, Councillor Isaac Hanna; Donal McNamara, IMRA Development Officer; Liam McCabe, Chairman IMRA; Pat Holland, SEMRA; Deputy Chairman of Down District Council, Councillor William Dick; Mary Mullins, Honorary Secretary, IMRA; Mike Power, Chairman, SEMRA.

A Busy Start To 2009 For SEMRA

2009-01-02T19:14:00.003Z

Two people were rescued from the Galtee Mountains in Tipperary on January 1st. The man and woman had contacted the Mountain Rescue team when they become lost at the top of the mountains in thick fog and in very cold conditions. The rescue team set up a search base at the top of the Black Road on the Cork side of the mountains and advised the couple to stay where they were because of fading light. In a five-hour operation, involving twenty mountain rescue volunteers and a search dog team, the couple were found safe and well, but cold. They were given hot drinks and food before being escorted back to their car. This was the second incident to which the team responded on the day. Earlier, a family had contacted the team when they became lost in fog on the top of Slievenamon in Co Tipperary. As the team responded, the fog lifted and the family were able to make their own way off the mountain.

Rescue in the Blackstairs Mountains

2008-12-08T23:09:00.004Z

A 61 year-old walker was airlifted to hospital by a Coast Guard helicopter from the Backstairs mountains in Carlow yesterday evening. The walker had sustained a lower leg injury while out walking with three friends. The alarm was raised at around 4pm yesterday evening, when one of the men contacted the Mountain Rescue team through the 999/112 emergency number.

The team immediately called out all its members in the South East, many of whom are from the Carlow/Kilkenny area. The walkers were able to give a team rescue co-ordinator the exact location of the accident and he contacted the MRCC (Marine Rescue Coordinating Centre)in Dublin and requested their assistance. The Coast Guard S61 helicopter based at Waterford airport, with a crew of four on board, was immediately scrambled and flew directly to the accident site and picked up the injured walker in fading light. He was flown to Waterford Regional Hospital for treatment.

Mountain Rescue Team Leader, Ann Murphy, who comes from Carlow, said "the rescue was well co-ordinated, and knowing the exact location saved a lot of time. SEMRA regularly trains with the Coast Guard helicopter and its crew, based in Waterford, and it is a fantastic asset to have in the South East, not only for incidents at sea, but in the mountains also".

SEMRA would like to thank all involved in yesterday's rescue, its own voluntary members (this is the second time in a week they have been called out), the MRCC Dublin, the Coast Guard helicopter crew for their very fast response, and the friends of the injured man for their help on the mountain.

We have a winner in the G4 Challenge

2008-12-08T23:00:00.002Z

Fantastic news from the UK where our team mates, Terry Brophy from Kilkenny and Malcolm Daly from Tipperary, were taking part in the Land Rover G4 Challenge (Irish Selection) along with 40 others from around Ireland. First place was taken by our own Malcolm Daly, while Terry wasn't very far off the top spot again this year. The two lads were put through a gruelling weekend of off-road driving, orienteering, kayaking, mountain biking, tests of strength, endurance and lateral thinking. Terry said "physically and mentally, it was one of the toughest weekends of my life, but when Malcolm was announced the winner, I could have jumped over the moon". Malcolm said, "I couldn't believe it when my name was called out, I put 110% into this weekend and to come out on top is just a dream come true." In all, five mountain rescue members from Ireland took part in the weekend, well done to all. Malcolm will be back at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire, England, next February, to take part in the International Selection for the G4 Challenge, where he stands a realistic chance of winning and going on to represent Ireland in the Global G4 Challenge that takes place in Mongolia and the spectacular Gobi desert in 2009.
Well done Malcolm and Terry, from all your friends and team mates in SEMRA.

SEMRA Members Take on Land Rover G4 Challenge

2008-11-11T13:52:00.005Z

Terry Brophy and Malcolm Daly are two members of SEMRA. Both share a passion for the outdoors and all types of adventure sports from mountain biking to climbing. Along with their love of the outdoors, they are mad. Yes, mad into 4x4 driving and all things Land Rover. Malcolm recently took time out and went on a year long expedition around the world in his Land Rover Defender. He travelled through Europe, across Asia, Australia, the USA and back home to Ireland. Terry, a Land Rover owner since his first licence, represented Ireland in the G4 Challenge three years ago, and has taken part in many adventure races over the last few years.
Now the two friends have been chosen from hundreds of entries to attend the national selection that takes place at Land Rover’s testing ground in Herefordshire in the UK. After selection in the UK, one male and one female will be picked to represent Ireland in 2009 at the G4 Challenge in Mongolia and the spectacular Gobi desert.
The Land Rover G4 Challenge is a global 4x4 driving and adventure race, held every three years. Competitors from eighteen nations will take part in a three-week long challenge. The winners will secure a Land Rover vehicle for the Red Cross or Red Crescent in their respective nation.

SEMRA Flag Day in Clonmel coming up!

2008-10-21T20:47:00.003+01:00

SEMRA will hold two flag days in Clonmel on the last weekend of this month, the 31st of October and the 1st of November. Many team members come from the Clonmel/South Tipperary area and SEMRA is hoping to raise much needed funds for the upkeep of the two vehicles and rescue equipment located in Clonmel. Chairman of the team, Michael Power said "the vehicles in Clonmel play a vital, life-saving role in the team's operations. For the last number of years, we have had two vehicles, a 4x4 and a control vehicle, stationed in the Civil Defence yard which allows the team a very quick response time to any incident in the Clonmel area and beyond". He thanked Civil Defence for providing the parking spaces. He went on to say "as we don't have a permanent base, I would also like to thank the Chief Fire Officer in Clonmel for allowing the team to use the Fire Training Centre for meetings and training courses. On behalf of the SEMRA team, and especially the members from the Clonmel area, I would like to thank the Clonmel people, many of them hill walkers with the local Peaks Mountaineering Club, for their ongoing support". As a voluntary organisation, SEMRA relies on donations from the public and hill walking clubs. An annual grant from the Government covers around a quarter of SEMRA's yearly running costs.

SEMRA joins 120 Scouts on the Galtees

2008-10-21T20:26:00.004+01:00

Members of SEMRA joined over 120 scouts and staff on the Galtee Mountains in County Tipperary for an adventure weekend. Scouts came from all over Ireland for a weekend of camping and walking on the mountains. Jimmy Barry and Matt Ryan, along with two scout leaders, manned the first check point on Farbrega (724m), during the Saturday walk along the ridge above Lough Muskry. As each patrol checked in they were given information on Mountain Rescue in Ireland, and what happens when a mountain rescue team is called out. A short question and answer session followed. The SEMRA team was invited to take part by the organisers of the weekend, so that the scouts could find out more about mountain rescue and safety while out walking. Jimmy Barry, PRO for SEMRA, said " we are always willing to meet people (of any age), on and off the mountains, to let them know who we are and what it is we do. Last weekend was an excellent event for Scouting Ireland, and the organisers are to be congratulated for bringing so many young people to the mountains and giving them some fantastic memories to take home. For SEMRA it was a chance to meet the hill walkers and mountaineers of tomorrow, pass on the safety message and bring an awareness about all the other mountain rescue teams in Ireland. Our time is the most valuable gift we can give, and to give our time to young people and help them in their development is something the SEMRA team will always support". Sunday turned out to be a bit windy, but by 12.30pm everyone was off the mountain and heading for home, some as far away as Northern Ireland. Find out more about the weekend at http://www.sionnach.org/ .

"Nine Lives" thoroughly recommended

2008-10-13T21:49:00.006+01:00

Dave Courtney, former Chief Pilot of Shannon Search & Rescue Helicopter, and a good friend to the team back a few years, has writen a great book called "Nine Lives", covering his career in Search & Rescue, all the adventures he had and the people he met along the way, including SEMRA. It is an excellent read, which received a rave review from Kevin Myers.
Available in all good bookshops, "Nine Lives" is published by Mercier Press.

Two incidents make for a busy day

2008-09-27T22:13:00.002+01:00

Two incidents, in the mountains of the South East of Ireland, made it a busy evening and night for SEMRA. At 1500 hrs on Friday, September 26th, 2008, the team was called out by Ambulance Control in Wexford, to an incident on the Comeragh mountains in Co Waterford. A lone walker, from Tipperary, had fallen and sustained a lower leg injury. The team, along with two Emergency Medical Technicians from the Ambulance Service in Clonmel, managed to evacuate the man to a waiting ambulance that had driven up through the woods to Lough Mohra, where the man had fallen during a walk. He was taken to Clonmel hospital and later transferred to Waterford Regional Hospital for treatment.

In the second incident later that night, at 2000hrs, An Garda Siochana based in Dungarvan called the team to an incident on the Knockmealdown Mountains, on the border of Tipperary and Waterford. A 62 year-old Limerick man had gone walking in the mountains and had failed to return to a pick-up point arranged with his wife. SEMRA went on full team callout and set up base just above the area known as "The Vee", from where the man had started his walk. The team called in the Coast Guard helicopter from Waterford to help in the search, it also called a search dog team from the search and rescue dog association, SARDA. Gardai from the local area were also on scene. Twenty-five members of the team were starting to search the mountains, when word came through that the man had made his way down the other side of the mountain to a house in the Goat's Bridge area and was safe and well. A team vehicle was sent to pick him up, and he was reunited with his family later that night. The man had become lost when dense fog covered the mountains yesterday evening. SEMRA would like to thank everyone that helped in yesterday's incidents, An Garda Siochana, The Coast Guard, SARDA, Ambulance Service and all its own voluntary members.

Lake Mohra Incident

2008-09-26T17:46:00.004+01:00

At around 15hrs today, SEMRA was alerted to an incident in the Comeragh Mountains in County Waterford by Ambulance Control in Wexford. A lone walker, in the vicinity of Lake Mohra, had slipped and injured his lower leg. A team 4x4 vehicle and personnel were mobilised to assist at the incident, evacuating the man to a waiting ambulance.

Team training day goes Nationwide

2008-09-22T13:36:00.001+01:00

A camera crew from the popular RTE programme Nationwide accompanied SEMRA on a training day in the Galtees yesterday. A search and rescue exercise took place in which personnel and equipment were airlifted to the top of the Black Road by the Coast Guard Sikorsky S-61 Search & Rescue helicopter. Two team 4x4 vehicles also attended the incident site where an exercise casualty was located, assessed, treated and evacuated.

Mahon Falls Incident

2008-09-06T11:54:00.006+01:00

Last Friday, 29th August 2008 as team members were heading for home after our Dungarvan flag day, the team was put on standby for a search for a tourist missing at Mahon Falls in the Comeragh Mountains. The team vehicle that is stationed in Dungarvan was on its way to the incident when the man turned up safe and well, after he had become lost in fog and mist above the Falls.

Dungarvan Flag Day A Great Success

2008-09-01T11:44:00.000+01:00

SEMRA would like to thank everyone who supported its flag day, held in Dungarvan last Friday, 29th August 2008. SEMRA is grateful to the Media for publicising the day, and to all the hillwalkers and people who once again made this into a huge success. For supporting the Team and the vital role it plays in providing a life-saving service to the people of the South East and beyond, Thank You.

Please Support Dungarvan Flag Day

2008-08-20T10:11:00.002+01:00

SEMRA will hold a Flag Day in Dungarvan, on Friday, the 29th of August, 2008, to raise much needed funds. Semra would like to thank the local Hillwalking clubs and all the people from the Dungarvan and Co.Waterford area who have supported the team in the past. This support has enabled SEMRA to locate a landrover in the town for the past few years, providing a rapid response to incidents in the Comeragh and Knockmealdown Mountains.

Local man, Michael Power, said "as Chairman of the team and a member of Dungarvan Hillwalking Club, it is an honour for me to see so many people from the Dungarvan area involved in Mountain Rescue. I am overwhelmed with the support we get from people every year when we hold our flag day".

Funds raised this year will go towards the upkeep of the landrover and the vital rescue equipment it carries. The landrover in its winning colours (blue and white!) can be seen on the streets of the town during the flag day, and team members will be out on the streets from early morning selling flags, come rain or shine.

New Blog Launched

2008-08-16T14:15:00.002+01:00

The new SEMRA Blog has just been launched. This is where you will find the latest news from SEMRA.