Gobbins path trespassers ‘putting their safety at risk’

The council says it has received reports of people attempting to access the cliff path tourist attraction which remains closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Gobbins closed temporarily on March 20. The visitor centre is also shut and there will be no tours until further notice.

Council stated: “At this time, the health and well-being of our visitors and staff is of paramount importance and this decision has been made in line with the UK Government and Public Health Agency guidance.”

A spokesperson for the the local authority said: “We would advise the public that anyone doing so is putting their safety at risk.”

Mid and East Antrim PSNI  said: “We all have our part to play in keeping people safe during Covid-19.

“The public should be well aware of the advice from our public health partners and the government about social distancing and movement and, on that basis, we would encourage people not to drive to local beauty spots for their daily exercise as others may have the same idea and social distancing may not be achievable.”

On Tuesday, Portmuck and Larne Coastguard teams were tasked to Whitehead after reports that a woman had slipped down a slope into the sea.

Bangor lifeboat and the PSNI were also called to the scene. The woman was pulled to safety by a local resident and was uninjured.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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