Reek pilgrims ignore garda warnings

DESPITE gardaí warnings to the contrary, hundreds of pilgrims are climbing Croagh Patrick in Mayo today.

Bad weather overnight led to the cancellation of the traditional 'Reek Sunday' pilgrimage this morning.

Conditions on the mountain this afternoon are dangerous. Heavy rain overnight and this morning has left the pilgrim path slippy and unstable in places.

Up to 300 volunteers from more than a dozen mountain rescue teams around the country had travelled to Co. Mayo to assist those making the climb.

Strong winds last night knocked a number of medical stations that had been set up in anticipation of today’s events and the glass panels on an oratory at the summit of the mountain were blown out this morning.

All this led to the advice this morning not to climb the reek.

The ability of the Aer Corps, rescue teams and medical personnel to respond to people in difficulty has been severely compromised as a result of the adverse weather.

Sergeant Denis Harrington from Westport Garda Station advised people not to attempt the climb today.

He said: 'The weather conditions here today are extremely treacherous. High winds and rain have caused a lot of damage to the medical tents and structures at the top of Croagh Patrick.

'A decision was made by the officials here to cancel the pilgrimage today and we’re strongly advising people not to attempt to climb the mountain due to health and safety concerns.'

Masses that were due to be celebrated by the Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary on Croagh Patrick from 8.30am, were moved to the nearby St Patrick’s Church in Lecanvey instead.

Dr. Neary has said it was disappointing that 'Reek Sunday' had been cancelled: 'There will be mass and confession available. Mass will be available every half hour in Lecanvey Church, which is just a little bit west of Croagh Patrick.'

'It’s disappointing that the pilgrimage has been cancelled. I’m not aware that it has ever been cancelled before and I have been climbing this mountain since I was a young lad many, many years ago,'  Dr. Neary added