Donegal Mountain Rescue seek new volunteers to aid busy service

Following a busy period, Donegal Mountain Rescue Team are looking for new volunteers.

In the space of 13 days since the turn of the year, the team was tasked to five callouts.

They included the rescue of an injured person off Errigal mountain on New Year’s Day. The person a lower leg injury as they descended the mountain and, in treacherous conditions, had to be stretchered off to a waiting medical team.

Last Friday, the team were tasked to locate to two walkers who had become disoriented while descending Muckish and on Saturday a pair of walkers, who got lost in the mist, were rescued off Lough Salt.

“Our county is vast and as we enter a new year we are looking to expand our team,” a DMRT spokesperson said.

“We are seeking people to come on and help us continue to assist those members of the public who find themselves in difficulty on the hill and need our help.’

Interested people are asked to email recruitment@donegalmrt.ie for more information.

A description of the requirements said: “You will be a part of a team that comes to the aid of those who find themselves in difficulty on the hill, while working alongside other organisations such as An Garda Siochana and the Coast Guard.

“You will be taught vital skills in areas such as first aid, navigation, casualty care, stretcher management, rope work and much more.”

DMRT say that experience in hillwalking and mountaineering is essential and first aid training is preferable.

Availability for training is essential and volunteers must be able to work as part of a team.