Andrew Carey
GARDAI and crews from Limerick City Fire and Rescue have removed two youths who were protesting on the roof of a building in the grounds of St Joseph’s Psychiatric hospital in Limerick this Wednesday night.
It is understood that two males refused to come down from the roof of Coovagh House, a HSE special care unit, after scaling a wall at the rear of the hospital.
The two 16-year-old youths climbed a 15ft wall and refused to come down despite the presence of gardai and emergency services.
The incident unfolded shortly after 9pm this Wednesday night when the alarm was raised.
Gardai and two units from the Limerick City Fire and Rescue responded along with emergency paramedics from the National Ambulance Service.
However, the incident was brought to a close a short time later after Roxboro Road Gardai, with the assistance of the Limerick City Fire and Rescue Bronto elevated platform, removed the two youths after it is believed they caused extensive damage to the area. Both have been returned to the care of the HSE.
Gardai responded to another incident involving one of the youths last week and it is understood that pepper spray had to be used to restrain the youth.
Simultaneously, FireSwift, the Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service jet rescue boat was deployed to Sarsfield Bridge where reports were made that a male was possibly threatening to enter the water.
However, the emergency response crews were stood down en route to the scene after it was determined that the male was watching the Limerick Marine Search and Rescue crews carry out training manoeuvres on the River Shannon.
Earlier this Wednesday, Gardai, paramedics and three units form Fire and Rescue were sent to the bridge near the old Burlington Factory at Gillogue just before 3pm when a passerby saw a tractor beside the water and a pair of wellington boots left alongside on the riverbank.
The passerby had fears that the driver, who was not in the cab of the tractors, was swept away in the river and raised the alarm.
A crew of five swift water rescue technicians combed the area, but nothing was found and the emergency responders were stood down after it was deemed to have been a false alarm with good intent.
