Vandals damage Co.Antrim lifegaurd hut in overnight attack

By David Hunter

The RNLI say around £800 worth of damage has been cuased to a lifegaurd hut on the North Coast. 

Lifeguards discovered broken bottles, a used barbecue graffitti and damage to Whiterocks cabin on Wednesday morning.

It's understood the hut's essential radio transmitter ariel was damaged, and a large rock was thrown at the hut, causing a two inch hole in the wood.

It comes after two of the busiest days of the year so far on Northern Ireland's beaches as thousands flocked to the coast to enjoy the good weather. 

Lifeguard Supervisor Karl O’Neill said "Our lifeguards rely on the aerial to communicate with each other when on patrol and to communicate with their colleagues in the Coastguard in the event of an emergency.

"Thankfully the damage has not rendered our communications off-service but should it have and should it have happened during the last two days which brought thousands of people to our beaches to enjoy the good weather, lives could have been put at risk.

"It is very disappointing for our lifeguards who have been working hard to keep people safe to turn up this morning after two busy days and see the unit they need to carry out their job has been so badly damaged, it really does dampen spirits.’

Karl also reminded those responsible that the RNLI is a charity: "Our lifeguards are an essential part of what is a seamless rescue service that saves lives from the beach to the open sea" he said.

"Our lifeguards’ primary role at Whiterocks and on all lifeguarded beaches on the Causeway Coast is to make sure the beach can be enjoyed safely by the public.

"We want them to be able to continue to do that safely and with peace of mind."