A spate of theft is ongoing at the Knockananig Reservoir in Fermoy, with the rope attached to eight ring buoys removed for the second week running.
Cork County Council staff were alerted to the offence the first time round and replaced the missing ropes. However it was necessary to replace the ropes once again this week after the same theft occurred.
Caroline Casey, water & road safety development officer with Cork County Council, called for a halt to the vandalism, saying ring buoys serve a vital purpose for those who use the reservoir for recreation.
“We would call on the person or persons carrying out this act to refrain from taking the ring buoy ropes.”
“This is the second week in a row the ropes have been stolen on the ring buoys. Without the ropes you can’t pull a person in from the water. We’ve replaced the ropes twice now, we’re not sure who is doing this or why. People know that ring buoys are there to save lives.
“We would call on the person or persons carrying out this act to refrain from taking the ring buoy ropes. It is a crime, and (we ask) for the public to be vigilant and on the alert,” she said.
To report a ring buoy either missing or found, visit ringbuoys.ie and follow the instructions.
