This evening, the Skerries Coast Guard team were taking part in a regular night search and rescue exercise at Red Island, in Skerries.
During the course of the exercise, one of the search teams located an abandoned marine rocket flare. The flare appeared to have been deliberately concealed in undergrowth near the Martello Tower at Red Island and its condition indicated that it may only have recently been placed there. The flare found was a red parachute rocket flare, designed for use by ships in distress. When deployed, can reach a height of 1000 feet in a matter of seconds.
Skerries Coast Guard immediately notified their control centre in Dublin of the find. The exercise was immediately suspended and thorough search of the Red Island area was undertaken with the assistance of local Gardai. No further flares were found during this search. The flare was removed from the scene by the Gardai for specialist disposal by the army ordnance unit.
We would appeal to members of the public to be particularly vigilant and if they notice any such flares abandoned, please contact the Coast Guard by dialling 999 or 112.