Flashing lights near Mahon Falls attracts attention of emergency services

Late-night campers near Mahon Falls were surprised last week when emergency services arrived in response to their camp lights.

South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) received a call at 12:30am last Monday morning from An Garda Síochána, after a walker had reported seeing lights flashing on the hill over Mahon Falls.

A Garda vehicle drove to Mahon Falls to investigate, met with the walker and saw the lights.

Garda personnel then discovered a car still parked at the nearby car park.

SEMRA members responded to the car park and three search parties travelled up the hill along with a kindly local farmer who came to help out.

The Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter was also requested to assist, along with Search and Rescue Dog Association search dog Ziggy and handler Mick.

The helicopter overhead picked up the heat source from a tent and alerted SEMRA members to its location.

Four very surprised campers emerged, unaware that their camp lights had created an alert.

Team members returned to the carpark and stand down was issued at 04:19.

A South Eastern Mountain Rescue spokesperson said via social media that they were grateful for the assistance of everyone on the night.

 “SEMRA has responded several times before to reports of lights/shouts on the hill. Nine times out of ten its night hikers, campers, or logging machinery. However, we will always do our best to investigate because someday it’ll be that one time.

“Thank you to the walker who raised the concern and stayed to see it through and to the local farmer for helping out. A good outcome and the sunrise wasn’t bad either.”