SLANE SPECIAL: Why is Meath River Rescue not patrolling the river Boyne on Saturday?

Meath River rescue has expressed disappointment and concern that its members will not be patrolling the Boyne for the Slane Castle concert on Saturday.
The treasurer, Mr Noel Foley said members were informed at their  monthly meeting last week that Meath River Rescue will not be on duty on the river Boyne at Slane for the concert.
'I was informed that there were Civil Defence units from Monaghan, Cavan and Dublin, along with Drogheda Coastguard and our own Civil Defence in Navan,' he said.

A response to a Freedom of Information Request seen by the Meath Chronicle states that the volunteer Coast Guard is not a safety provider for commercial events. However it will be operating at the venue on foot of a request from the Gardai who co-ordinate the safety plan and ultimately the matter rests with them.
'Meath River Rescue, which was set up for the people of Meath and very well supported by the people of Meath, is prevented from patrolling the river Boyne at Slane on that day.
'We are a highly equipped organision, with divers and swimmers who have trained and passed the swift water course. We have been called out on missions as far as Newry.'
Mr Foley said he  would like to know why Meath River Rescue will not be on the river on Saturday.
'There will be 85,000 people at the Slane concert and the safety of the concert goers is of utmost importance. So I sincerely hope that the personnel on water duties are fully trained divers, swimmers and boat handlers.'
Chairman, Christy Rennicks said that the organisation has boats that can move quickly in shallow rapid waters and they have qualified divers, in the event of anything happening.
A spokesperson for Meath County Council, who licence the event, said that for the past number of years the Coastguard, Garda Water Unit and Civil Defence have been engaged in river safety at the Slane concerts.
'The decision on who operates at the Slane concert is a matter for the promoters in consultation with the statutory agencies.
'The Coastguard and the Gardaí are the lead agencies in this matter,' she said.  
Cllr Wayne Forde described the absence of MRR from patrol duty in the Boyne on Saturday as “ludicrous.”