New Year's fireworks spark false alarm on Errigal

The launching of celebratory fireworks on Errigal mountain to mark the New Year sparked a call-out for the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team.

The public have been urged to act responsibility on mountains and the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team has reminded people that such incidents can be easily mistaken for a person in distress.

“As for setting off flares or fireworks, this raises the call-out to a higher level,” a spokesperson said. “Thankfully the call out that morning was dealt with quickly and no one was injured.”

DMRT was tasked by An Garda Siochana at 1.29am on New Year’s Day. That followed reports of lights flashing and flares launched on Errigal. DMRT launched a full team call out.

A DMRT spokesperson said: “It was later established that persons who went up Errigal for the New Year had launched what we suspect to be fireworks, not flares, and the reported flashing lights were the persons returning to the car park.

“The team stood down at 03:25am having established that no cars were in the Errigal car park at this time.”

DMRT have paid tribute to their members who leapt from their beds on New Year’s morning to attend the call out and to gardai from Milford and Falcarragh who aided.

A spokesperson said: “Whilst we encourage everyone to enjoy the mountains, day or night, it is important that people remember that there are always people around and flashing lights at night can be very easily mistaken for a person in distress.

“Please enjoy our mountains responsibly.”