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'This can delay the response to a genuine emergency': Alarm raised after red distress flare fired in Howth

A spokesperson for Howth Coast Guard said the flare was fired from a boat moored in the harbour.

A MARINE DISTRESS flare was fired in the Howth area last night, but the Coast Guard found no vessels in distress after it investigated.

A spokesperson for Howth Coast Guard said the red parachute distress flare caused a number of people to ring 999 just after midnight.

He said that while investigating with gardaí, a report was received that the flare had been set off from a boat moored in the harbour area.

The Coast Guard also confirmed that no boats were in distress.

The spokesperson added: “It is against the law to fire distress flares unless in an emergency as they signal that someone is immediate danger and needs assistance from the Coast Guard.

Red distress flares are distinct in the sky, and will cause ships, and aircraft, and the public to alert the emergency services. False activation can tie up resources and delay the response to a genuine emergency call.

Read: Group of 15 junior sailors rescued from wrath of Storm Brian in Dun Laoghaire harbour

Read: Remains found on west coast beach confirmed as those of woman buried at sea

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    Mute Anarch Eco
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    Oct 15th 2021, 5:23 PM

    Don’t hold your breathe for any major breakthroughs..

    Actually do hold your breathe, it will probably do more to reduce CO2 emissions than any agreements reached!

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    Mute Geraldine Fenton
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    Oct 18th 2021, 1:11 PM

    @Anarch Eco:
    Please what sense does it make closing our bogs and bring peat in what Europe
    and putting a cap on farmers production and bringing meat in from Brazil where they are cutting the amazon forest to allow for bigger production
    none of this make sense

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    Mute Anarch Eco
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    Oct 20th 2021, 9:49 AM

    @Geraldine Fenton: theres even more than that that doesnt make sense.

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    Mute Brendan Cooney
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    Oct 20th 2021, 9:58 AM

    @Geraldine Fenton: none. But thinking we should be allowed to do which we ask others not to do, also does not make sense.

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    Mute Maeve OReilly
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    Oct 18th 2021, 11:11 AM

    The 15th UN Biodiversity Conference is on now in China. It would be great to get some coverage on that. Thanks.

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    Mute Nathan Notusingfackebook
    Favourite Nathan Notusingfackebook
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    Oct 20th 2021, 1:44 PM

    Here come the climate lockdowns, travel limitations to prevent Carbon emissions and more draconian measures as the bilderberg group cook up more excuses to take more from the average hardworking Irish.

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