Venomous jellyfish warning for Irish bathers


Lions mane Jellyfish
The CEO of Irish Water Safety, John leech is urging the public to use Local Authority manned lifeguarded bathing places to ensure that they avoid being stung by two of the most venomous jellyfish that visit Irish waters.

The warning has been issued after a Lions mane Jellyfish was spotted in Sutton, County Dublin this week.

"The Lifeguards ensure your safety on our beaches and will be patrolling on their surf rescue boards and on the beaches to ensure that they do not pose a threat to members of the public," stated Mr. Leech.

The CEO is also alerting the public that due to the high temperatures in our waters, the prevailing westerly winds and the north Atlantic current, these potentially dangerous jellyfish are likely to appear on more of our beaches in the coming weeks.

The Portuguese man-o-war jellyfish, which can also inflict a very painful sting, was reported in Wexford and Waterford last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a young girl was taken to hospital after suffering an allergic reaction to a jellyfish sting at Barleycove beach in west Cork yesterday.

"For those of you who will be using non-lifeguarded beaches then find information on jellyfish, including a photo ID card and First Aid treatment of stings visit http://www.iws.ie/beach/jellyfish-safety.321.htm," added Mr. Leech.