Search
23 Oct 2025
Search
23 Oct 2025
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
Illegal removal of ring buoys in Kildare called out. FILE PHOTOGRAPH / PIXABAY
The illegal removal of ring buoys near bodies of water in County Kildare has been called out by councillors.
The discussion arose following the submission of a motion concerning water safety, which was heard at the latest Athy Municipal District meeting on Monday, May 19 last.
At this meeting, Fianna Fáil Cllr Veralouise Behan motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) "to launch a local water safety campaign in the Municipal District, in conjunction with Waterways Ireland”.
Her motion was seconded by Labour Party Cllr Mark Leigh.
In response to Cllr Behan's motion, KCC said: "As part of the countywide water safety programme which takes place over the coming weeks, KCC will incorporate specific information relating to initiatives and waterways in the Athy Municipal District."
Speaking further on her motion, Cllr Behan said: "We all know that great weather brings out people who love to swim, and its been very busy the last few weeks, seeing as summer has come early."
Cllr Behan added: "I would encourage people to carry out basic water safety."
She also criticised those who would illegally remove ring buoys, and outlined how potentially dangerous such an action can be.
Agreeing with her sentiments, Cllr Leigh said: "There is a lovely plaque at the Grand Canal 27th Lock, but we don't need to be adding any more names to it."
CROSS-PARTY SUPPORT
The Cathaoirleach / Mayor of the Municipal District, Labour Party Cllr Aoife Breslin, also expressed support for the motion.
She also criticised those who would illegally remove ring buoys: "I don't understand it. It is life-saving equipment, and there is a cost to replacing the buoys too."
"It can't be tolerated," Mayor Behan added.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Brian Dooley also threw support behind his party colleague's motion.
He also noted that there is potential danger for those who swim in quarries: "They can be very deep and very cold — it's usually the cold that catches people out."
"It's just not safe to swim in," he added.
Cllr Dooley also had the following advice for those planning on swimming: "Make sure to have a buoy closeby, and make sure that another person can go with you."
READ NEXT: BREAKING: Bernie Sanders coming to Kildare this weekend
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
