Updated 1pm.
A man has been taken to hospital following a dramatic rescue in Downings in the early hours of this morning.
Gardaí and emergency services responded to a report of a male having gotten into difficulty in the water at the local beach at around 3:45am.
“He was taken from the water and brought by ambulance to Letterkenny University Hospital as a precaution,” a spokesperson for the Garda Press Office told Donegal Daily.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport confirmed a search for a second missing swimmer was stood down after they were safely accounted for.
Assistance was also provided by Mulroy Coast Guard, and the Sligo-based Rescue 118 Coast Guard helicopter that combed the shoreline until the group was confirmed safe.
“Mulroy Coast Guard Unit’s boat and drone teams along with Rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo were tasked to the scene,” the spokesperson said.
“A male had been recovered from the water by the initial caller and there was a suggestion of a second person that may be in the water. As a result of this an extensive land, sea and air search commenced. Subsequent enquiries established that there was no other person unaccounted for and the search was stood down.”
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Illegal Pier Parking
The latest emergency again highlights the illegal parking that blocked Downings Pier at the weekend, despite repeated warnings in recent months.
Another car illegally parked in the yellow box at Downings Pier.
The silver southern-registered car in question was found parked yesterday in the yellow box, which is meant to be kept clear in case the local Coast Guard lifeboat needs to be launched.
The very same slipway was blocked just two weeks ago, when a similar appeal was put out urging members of the public to park responsibly.
A similar incident in 2021 saw the launching of a lifeboat at Bunbeg Pier delayed by 10 minutes, with a motorist’s illegally-parked car blocking the slipway.