A WOMAN had to be rescued today after taking to the sea at Sandycove Harbour for a swim.
Despite warnings to stay indoors and a Status Red alert in place as Storm Emma descended on Ireland, the woman went for a swim in Dun Laoghaire.
Footage captured people's attempts to rescue the woman, as waves crash into the harbour.
A very dramatic rescue just now in Sandycove, I had to stop recording I was so angry at the woman who deliberately went for a swim @rtenews @WeatherRTE pic.twitter.com/nF2Svh2egv
— SoCoDu (@socodutweets) 2 March 2018
The person who uploaded the footage, SoCoDu, said he had to stop recording as he was so angry at the woman deliberately going for a swim in the treacherous conditions.
Social media users branded the woman ‘selfish’ and ‘irresponsible’.
Disgraceful display of selfishness, in the middle of a red alert, putting other people's lives at risk for the sake of a swim..hope she's not planning on going mountain-hiking later to top it all off!! #CommonSenseAintSoCommon
— Emma Ryan (@emmaryandublin9) 2 March 2018
Seriously she should be charged with endangering the rescue workers lives. There’s always one 🙄
— Jo-Jo (@joannedriver00) 2 March 2018
What an irresponsible muppet putting other people’s lives at risk...people who have left there own families at home to go to work and whose families will be worried about them getting back home in one piece. Should be penalised for same.
— Jen (@Jennifermdore) 2 March 2018
How stupid are people that this has to be posted. Cop on people the Garda and the rest of the emergency services have enough to be doing.
— niall cullen (@niall2c) 2 March 2018
The weather has got so bad in the area that gardaí have closed the coastal road due to flooding and high winds.
They have also warned people against going swimming in the current conditions.
High tides please do not go swimming in the areas today. One lady swimming had to be rescued already today . Bsafe
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) 2 March 2018
Dublin Fire brigade also captured footage of the flooded seafront at Dun Laoghaire.
Dun Laoghaire fire station at flooding today in #Sandycove. On shore winds today. #StormEmma #BeastFromTheEast @emergencyIE pic.twitter.com/YLZmOIVfHs
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) 2 March 2018
Flooding was expected in the wake of the Beast from the East, as high spring tides coupled with the winds of Storm Emma put coastal regions at risk.
Met Éireann meanwhile issued a new Status Red snow-ice warning for Dublin, Kildare, Wexford, Wicklow and Meath on Friday afternoon.
The alert, which is in place until 9am on Saturday, warns of a significant increase snow accumulations due to further heavy snowfalls.
