MAYO MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM HAS BEEN CALLED OUT 5 TIMES OVER THE LAST SEVEN DAYS AND HAS RESCUED 6 PEOPLE FROM ON OR AROUND CROAGH PATRICK

THIS UNPRECEDENTED RATE OF CALL-OUTS IN SUCH A SHORT TIME HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE SINCE THE TEAM WAS REFORMED OVER 20 YEARS AGO.

THE LATEST OF THE RESCUES WAS YESTERDAY WHEN THE TEAM CAME TO THE ASSISTANCE OF A MALE CLIMBER IN HIS 20S WHO GOT INTO DIFFICULTIES NEAR THE FIRST STATION ON CROAGH PATRICK. HE WAS CARRIED OFF BY STRETCHER AND TRANSPORTED TO MAYO GENERAL HOSPITAL WHERE HIS INJURIES WERE NOT DESCRIBED AS LIFE THREATENING.

SHANE MCGUIRE PRO OF MAYO MOUNTAIN RESCUE TOLD MIDWEST NEWS TODAY THAT IT HAS BEEN VERY DEMANDING ON THE TIME OF THE VOLUNTARY TEAM.

HE SAID MEMBERS OF THE 40-STRONG TEAM OFTEN HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF WORK TO TAKE PART IN THE RESCUE OPERATIONS.

HE URGED ALL THOSE TAKING TO THE HILLS, TO ENSURE THAT THEY CARRIED THE NECESSARY CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR AND ADEQUATE FOOD. IN ADDITION HE SAID IT IS IMPORTANT TO USE A STICK WHEN CLIMBING AND DESCENDING THE MOUNTAIN.