There has been a dramatic fall-off in attempted suicides and accidents in the River Corrib since volunteers started patrolling the waterways of Galway City at night.

Claddagh Watch has recorded 532 major incidents where they have contacted emergency services to intervene during the five-year period it has been operating.

Founder Arthur Carr estimates the number of people who volunteers talk down or veer away from accidental danger without the need to alert the ‘blue light’ workers could be at least seven times that figure — which could bring close to 4,000 the number of people they have helped.

“We have not lost anyone anytime we’ve been out. It’s a testament to how our teams are able to deal with these situations and get people home safe or alert the fire brigade or RNLI about where people have gone in and get them rescued in time. Speed is crucial when you have the river high and angry and flowing at 22km/h.”

Gardaí have been involved in helping a total of 140 people who either fell in or jumped into the River Corrib in the city since 2019, according to figures released by Justice Minister Helen McEntee to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín this week.

The worst year was 2022 when there were 33 incidents. The year before it was 29 and last year the numbers dropped to 25. In 2020, the first year of the Covid pandemic, a total of 23 people were recorded as entering the Corrib. This year 11 incidents were recorded by Gardaí until the end of July.

Pictured: Chairperson of Claddagh Watch, Cllr Niall McNelis