Wicklow County Council were notified by members of the public this week that five ringbouys were missing along the River Walk in Arklow.
The ringbouys which could prevent a drowning in the river were later found to be caught up in various locations between the river and the harbour in what can only be described as mindless vandalism.
Speaking to Wicklow News, the Water Safety Officer for Wicklow County Council, Robert Kelly said “this level of mis treatment of public rescue equipment is hard to believe. We regularly come across a missing ringbouy, but for people to walk almost a kilometer to remove five is at a different level.”
Mr. Kelly has confirmed that all ringbouys are now replaced and would encourage people to contact the Wicklow County Council whenever a ringbouy is found to be missing.
