The Government today urged beach-goers and holidaymakers to be very careful this bank holiday weekend.
Government urges public to exercise caution on water over bank holiday weekend. Image: Matt Kavanagh.
The warning came as new figures show 131 people drowned in Ireland's waterways last year. More than 50 of those were accidental, while almost half were as a result of suicide, the Irish Water Safety's (IWS) 2006 annual report revealed.
Co Cork topped the nationwide poll for the highest number of deaths at 20. So far this year 19 people have drowned, and while the 2006 figures are the lowest since 1965, the IWS says it is still unacceptably high.
Speaking at the publishing of the report, Minister of State at the Department of Environment Tony Killeen said the weekend signals the start of the peak of the holiday season.
"Each August Bank Holiday we experience increased risk of drowning, and it is crucial that we be aware of these risks. . . . I am appealing to them to exercise caution as they engage in water based activities."
Of the 131 drownings last year, 53 were accidental, 63 were by suicide and 15 were declared undetermined, according to the report. Men accounted for the majority of deaths at 91, while 40 women died.
The highest number of deaths by suicide were also by males, at 34 compared with 29 females.
Dan Neville, Fine Gael
Fine Gael deputy health spokesman and president of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville TD, called on the Government to increase significantly increase the budget to the National Suicide Prevention Office.
"News today from the Water Safety Association that half of all drownings last year were suicides is a stark reminder of the many people who are finding themselves feeling desperate enough to take their own lives and without support," he said.
"The ongoing loss of so many lives by suicide and the devastation this causes to families bereaved by suicide demands a decisive and immediate response."
Mr Neville said that while last year's 409 deaths from suicide were slightly down on 2005, such deaths were still "alarmingly high" at 9.6 per 100,000 of population.
"To date, Fianna Fáil and the PDs have failed dismally to recognise or address the urgency to properly fund and modernise psychiatric services. It is crucial that this 'new' Government no longer ignores the tragic issue of suicide but approaches it with the same vigour as reducing road traffic accidents."