Over the past week there have been numerous reports in local and national media suggesting that Mayo County Council are in the process of planning for a Helipad on Croagh Patrick.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland this morning (30 July) Mountaineering Ireland’s CEO, Karl Boyle said that he was very surprised to hear of such a proposal and that it was certainly something that MI would not support. The core capability of a helicopter to hover over a casualty and winch them onto the helicopter is what makes helicopter rescue efficient. Carrying a casualty to a helipad, especially if the casualty was lower down the mountain, could add to the challenge a Mountain Rescue Team faces. Also, helicopter rescue is significantly dependent on suitable weather conditions, which limits its availability.

Should funds be available for Croagh Patrick, it would be much better if it could be focused on the management of erosion on the mountain or support the local

volunteers in the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team.

Story from http://www.mountaineering.ie/news/viewdetails.asp?ID=715