Lifeguard unit on Benone Strand vandalised twice in a week

During what is traditionally one of the RNLI lifeguard’s busiest weeks of the year, the charity’s lifeguards discovered on Wednesday morning (1 July) that vandals had damaged the exterior of the beach lifeguard unit for a second time within a week.

The railings around the exterior of the hut had been badly bent, a ventilation fan on the roof of the unit had been broken off and fencing leading up to the unit that protects the surrounding dune system had also been broken.

The RNLI is working closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in an attempt to prevent further damage being done to the beach unit throughout the summer.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Tim Doran said: “It is estimated that repairs to the beach lifeguard unit will run into hundreds of pounds for the charity, as the railings, fencing and ventilation fan will have to replaced and fitted.

“While our lifeguards are on duty many people come up to the units for assistance and advice and they are easily identifiable. We hope that these acts of vandalism will cease and that our lifeguards can continue to operate from them safely when carrying out their lifesaving work.’