A HOAX call made to emergency services on Monday claiming a car had been driven off the cliff at the Old Head of Kinsale was ‘very disappointing’ according to one local RNLI rescue crew who were tasked along with other agencies to attend the scene.

Gardaí, units from Bandon and Kinsale Cork County Fire Service, National Ambulance Service  (NAS), Old Head/Seven Heads Coast Guard and Courtmacsherry Harbour RNLI all attended the scene for what was expected to  be a major rescue operation.

But following a thorough search both at sea and on land around all emergency services were stood down.

Vincent O’Donovan, Courtmacsherry RNLI launch authority, said that hoax calls like this one are not the norm and they rarely happen.

‘We were tasked by Valentia Coast Guard at 1.45pm on Monday to attend an incident at the Old Head of Kinsale. We were just returning from Inchydoney at the time so we made our way immediately to the Old Head,’ said Vincent.

‘A thorough search of the area was carried out and we were eventually stood down after nothing was found. It’s very disappointing that someone would make a hoax call like this.’

He added that they along with all other emergency services go out to each incident reported to them and by attending a hoax call out it could affect a rescue occurring somewhere else.

‘Luckily we haven’t had any real hoax calls in about 20 years and everyone who attended the scene was disappointed that someone would waste the emergency
services’ time.’

It is understood that this was the second hoax call made to emergency services in the Kinsale area in recent weeks which could be investigated by the authorities.

Meanwhile, Crosshaven Coast Guard were tasked on Monday evening at 7.15pm following a report of a person in the water.

They attended the scene along with Crosshaven Fire & Rescue, RNLI Crosshaven Lifeboat Station and Kieran Conroy from the Port of Cork.

The casualty was successfully recovered from the water and handed over to the National Ambulance Service for assessment and
further care.

Gardai in Kinsale confirmed they are carrying out a criminal investigation into the alleged hoax call which saw at least 30 people attend the scene.

‘Vital life-saving resources were taken from other areas during the entire afternoon. This left vulnerable people in genuine need at greater risk,’ said Insp Emmet Daly.