Search and rescue 'heroes' save heifer found 'drifting' in lake close to Clare/Galway border

SEARCH and rescue volunteers have been praised for their role in rescuing a heifer which was 'drifting' in a lake close to the  Clare/Galway border.

After spotting the animal in the middle of Lough Derg, the Nenagh-based Lough Derg Sub Aqua Club, quickly took to their boats to rescue the animal.

Simon O'Duffy, accompanied by his colleague Tom Shaw, were on their way to Portumna to assist with an event, earlier this week, when they spotted something bobbing in the water, roughly half a mile from the shoreline.

"We stopped, circled back, and then we saw that it was a heifer," said Simon. Having lassoed her to bring her close to the boat, Simon added, "she looked quite frightened and startled, but we coaxed her to try and calm down."

Eventually, able to find her feet at the shore near Drominagh, Ballinderry, County Tipperary, Simon laughed, "she then walked into a field and started grazing like nothing ever happened."

With numbers from her ear tag, as well as the exact coordinates for where the crew left her on dry land, the crew put a call out on social media to find the farmer of the curious animal.

The public took to the social media post to write messages of goodwill, and share practical support.

It transpired that a farmer from Shragh, County Galway, whose farm is west of the lake, had lost four cattle in total, including the brave swimmer.

Luckily, they were all found safe and well near the same shoreline that Simon and Tom left the rescued heifer. "Galway went exploring Tipp - you can draw your own hurling analogies from that," the rescuer laughed, "you never know what you're going to come across!"