Sligo councillor expresses concern over possible lack of Rescue services in north west

Concerns have been expressed at reports that the Sligo-based Rescue 118 risks being out of operation for up to six months next year due to challenges in scheduling crew training during a changeover from one operator to another.

The base at Sligo Airport, operated on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard, is responsible for hundreds of rescue missions every year. Rescue 118 is based at the facility.

The crew training issue is a result of the planned transfer of the State's search and rescue contract from current operator CHC to a new operator Bristow over the next year.