Clifftop anglers are dicing with danger

 

DAREDEVIL anglers are putting their lives at risk by regularly fishing from Downpatrick Head in north Mayo, one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

The extreme fishermen have been sighted from passing boats, sometimes in extremely precarious positions, lines dangling.

The lengths which these anglers will go to reach untapped waters, along a hugely picturesque section of the Wild Atlantic Way, is astonishing locals and visitors alike.

Local Councillor Michael Loftus, a member of the north Mayo-based Gráinne Úaile Sub Aqua Club, says the situation is worrying from a safety viewpoint.

“The cliffs, which overlook the Dún Bríste sea stack, are extremely dangerous, especially in windy weather,” he explained.

“It often baffles me as to how none of these anglers have not yet fallen in,” Councillor Loftus continued.

There are other troubling aspects to the activities of the 'high rise' anglers – the dangers posed to divers who often train at the base of the cliffs as well as alleged intimidation of local fishing boats who come too close to shore.

Councillor Loftus recalled a recent incident where a female garda diver, training with Grainne Uaile members, was bizarrely hooked by one of the anglers.

He explained: “Only for the fact she had a knife and was able to cut herself free she would have been in serious trouble.”

One local boatman told that lead weights are sometimes deliberately thrown at angling boats by the cliff-top fishermen, who are 'extremely territorial'.

Also farmers are complaining that barbed lures are being left behind on grazing areas, posing a danger to sheep and other livestock.

Ballina-based Councillor Gerry Ginty says there now seems to be an industry for anglers fishing off cliffs and beaches in north Mayo for species such as mackerel, cod and bass.

“These anglers sell amongst their own,” Councillor Ginty claimed. “It's probably quite a lucrative business.”