News Updates
SARDA held a national training weekend in Wicklow over Sat and Sun. Very poor visibility and heavy rain hampered the proceedings somewhat on Saturday, but Sunday was a fine clear day. A few of our dog teams are progressing nicely towards novice & upgrade assessments, so watch this space! Thanks a lot to everyone who bodied over the weekend, to Louise Burgoyne and Sheelagh O'Malley for organising all the practical arrangements, and to Henry Smith, Catherine Kelly, Michael Grant and Eadaoin O'Gorman for setting search areas and observing the dog teams working through them.
Photo: Sheelagh O'Malley with trainee search dog Rowan. Photo by Janet Murphy.
they are devoted to each other
Hard Work!!! Thank You!!
Fab shot Sheelagh!
Very sad news today. Search dog Dexter has passed away after a short illness – far too soon, and in his prime. This is a huge loss to his handler Gerry Tobin, who is also SARDA's training officer, and to SARDA Ireland. Since qualifying as a search dog team in 2013 the pair have been on callouts all over Ireland and assisted with numerous incidents – many of them with their home team South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association. In May 2015, their skills directly resulted in saving a person's life after Dexter successfully located an unconscious casualty in difficult circumstances. Gerry and Dex have also been a familiar sight at many emergency services events as well as visits to schools – with his friendly nature, Dex was always a great ambassador for search dogs! We at SARDA Ireland can't believe that this legend of a dog is no longer with us, and our hearts are broken for Gerry and his family. Rest in peace, Dex, and thank you for your service.
So sorry to hear that about Dexter. Sorry for your loss Gerry and all the SARDA team. Had the pleasure of meeting Dexter and Gerry when they came to Belmullet to assist the Ballyglass Coast Guard in the search for the missing crew of R116. Rip Dexter❤️😥
So sorry to hear this, he was such a lovely dog with such a great personality, so friendly. You were a great team, thinking of you and your family 😪
An amazing dog ❤ Rest in peace Dexter...our thoughts are with you all ❤
Gerry, this is just the saddest news. We will all miss dex, he was a beautiful dog & loved by all that met him. Hope you will be ok, thinking of you at this really sad time, RIP Dex, doggy heaven has a true hero today xx 😢
So sorry to hear of Dexters passing,the work dogs like Dexter and their handlers do can never ever be under estimated,it is not until you witness their skills first hand that you appreciate their immense worth!R.i.P Dexter and thank you and Gerry for your service and hard work!
Sorry to hear about Dexter. Anne Walsh this is the lovely dog I was telling you about that we met at the Emergency Services Day. He was so friendly. 😢
Very saddened to hear this news, and I’m sorry for your loss Gerry. I was there at the callout in 2015, and will never forget what Dexter did that night. I’ll also confess to sneaking him a custard cream or two at the debrief. Good boy, Dex!
Heartbreaking........ to lose such a devoted team mate and faithful friend. My thoughts go out to the entire SARDA team and especially Gerry. Words can not express the giant hole left when such a gentle, dedicated soul passes on. It was an honor to "body" for him.
Our thoughts are with Gerry and everyone South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association at this impossible time. RIP Dexter, Still on the hill x 🐾💕
My sinceres sympathies to Gerry, and all involved, a very sad day indeed 😢 dogs always have such a special place in our hearts and I'm sure Dexter memory will live on xxx
Sorry for your loss Gerry condolences to all who know you and your beautiful search dog RIP Dexter thanks for your service
So very sad to hear this news. I learnt alot from Gerry and Dex when I visited in 2016. Sending my condolences to all at SARDA Ireland
Gerry, I'm so sorry to hear about Dex, thinking of you and all in SARDA Ireland at this sad time.
Oh Gerry I’m so sorry to hear this as I know over the many years of how much part of a family these dogs are to you and your family ❤️
Terribly sad news 😢 Run free, Dexter x Wishing all the love and comfort in the world to Gerry, his family and team-mates xx
Oh dear sorry to hear that, he’ll be missed by all. Thank you to Dexter and Gerry for all their assistance in cases.
So.sorry to hear of your loss, Gerry. Hard to lose a dog at any age but especially in their prime..😢
Our sincere condolences
Gerry, my deepest condolences. A beautiful dog whose kind and gentle nature made everyone feel at ease. Sending love at this difficult time. Rest easy Dex, run free with Nemo and all the other much loved and lost companions. Xx
Had the absolute pleasure of meeting both Gerry and Dex twice in college for a talk and demonstration on the incredible work that SARDA do. So sorry to hear this. Thoughts are with Gerry and all involved with SARDA. Rest in peace, Dex 🐾❤️
So sorry to hear that sad news. Ye and the dogs do amazing work. Sympathy to Dexters family run free Dexter.x
So so sorry Gerry. We will miss Dex so much. Thank you for all the great days Dex and Gerry. True volunteerism. Legends😢
Gerry, it’s sad when any dog dies but when one as special as Dex leaves it’s just devastating. Mind yourself now.
So very sorry for your loss. Words cannot make the loss any easier but the memory of him will always live on. Run free Dexter 🌈
So sorry for the sad loss beautiful Dexter
SARDA held a national training weekend in Co. Waterford over Fri and Sat. Original plan had been to train at Lough Mohra in the Comeraghs on Saturday but, due to very poor visibility, we decamped to Tickincor forest nearby where we ran two search areas with Gerry Tobin, Michael Grant, Helen NicChonmara and Eadaoin O'Gorman supervising the training. On Sunday we trained at Bay Lough near The Vee. Henry Smith and Louise Burgoyne joined our merry gang for three areas, with young pupsters and more experienced dogs all going through their paces. Many thanks to all our dogsbodies and everyone else who helped out!
Sunday was a busy day for SARDA's handlers with two callouts in the Galtee Mountains. The 1st callout kicked off in the early afternoon after a hillwalker got disoriented in the heavy fog near the summit and required assistance. Two dog teams (Michael Grant with search dog Ziggy and Eadaoin O'Gorman with search dog Murphy) responded along with their home team, South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association. Happily, with assistance over the phone from the SEMRA callout officer the walker was able make his way down to meet the SEMRA hill party, and the dog teams were stood down. The 2nd tasking came at 6.30pm on Sunday evening after two hillwalkers were reported overdue to return from the Galtees and could not be contacted. SARDA handlers Mick Grant (with Ziggy) and Gerry Tobin (with search dog Dexter) were on the way to the location when the two walkers were reported safe down off the mountain by other members of SEMRA. Stock photo: SARDA dog team Mick Grant & Ziggy.
Well done to u all. Glad to hear a such a great outcome. Thanks for the fantastic work that ye do.
Always available....well done everyone from SEMRA and SARDA......greatly appreciated.
Nice one guys !
Well done folks!! Great pic!
Nice one lads. Everyone home safe 👍
Beautiful doggie 💕
Ziggy is looking great.
Looking good Michael Grant and Ziggy
Ziggy is looking great.
Well done everyone and the dogs
Two of SARDA's dog handlers, Gerry Tobin (with search dog Dexter & trainee search dog Fia) and Louise Burgoyne (with search dog Lyla) took part in a demo that was given to Limerick Climbing Club by South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association on Saturday. Photos by Deirdre O'Brien.Very informative session with South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association and Search and Rescue Dog Association (Ireland) yesterday. They do amazing work with very little government support. All volunteers Who give up their time to help others.
Thanks to Limerick Climbing Club for arranging the session.
Photos by Deirdre O Brien
SARDA handlers were tasked by Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team yesterday evening to search for a missing woman in the Glen of the Downs, Co. Wicklow. Michael Grant (with search dog Ziggy) and Gerry Tobin (with search dog Dexter) were en route to Wicklow when the news came in that the missing lady had been located safe and well.
Search dog Murphy at training on the Galtees yesterday. Murphy's handler is Midletown-based Eadaoin O'Gorman. Photo by Jimmy Barry.
Oh. My. God! So gorgeous! I'm over in Ireland in 3 weeks' time, I think I need to book myself a cwtch with this little fella! Big love from Body Caroline (SARDA Wales)
Lovely photo! Looking forward to getting back to bodying again in September!
SARDA handler Michael Grant and search dog Ziggy were assisting with two searches in the last week. The pair were first called out on Wed the 8th in their local area to search for a missing person. Thankfully, with the help of social media and local people, the missing person was found safe and well. Search dogs Murphy (with handler Eadaoin O'Gorman) and Lyla (with Louise Burgoyne) were also on standby to assist if required. On Sat 11th, Mick and Ziggy were tasked by Valentia MRSC to assist Doolin Coast Guard unit, Clare Civil Defence and Gardaí in a search for a missing person after the Gardai found their car in a forest car park in the north Co. Clare. At around 10pm, as the dog team was out searching, the missing person was spotted by a member of the Gardaí. Louise and Lyla were also on standby for this search. Thank you Mick & Ziggy for responding to these callouts. We are delighted that both incidents had positive outcomes.
SARDA dog teams were tasked by Tipperary Civil Defence to assist in a missing person search in Gorthanoe, Co. Tipperary on Friday. Four dog handlers (Gerry Tobin, Louise Burgoyne, Eadaoin O'Gorman and Michael Grant) were en route to the incident but stood down when the missing person was located by the Gardaí. A good result for all involved.
SARDA handler Gerry Tobin, search dog Dexter and trainee search dog Fia took part in the Emergency Services Open Day at Dungarvan Fire Station yesterday. All local emergency services were also represented, including National Ambulance Service, Irish Coast Guard, RNLI, South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association, An Garda Síochána and Civil Defence. All proceeds raised from the event will go to Down Syndrome Ireland.
Fantastic event, all the emergency personnel were brilliant talking to the kids and showing them around the trucks and equipment, and loved meeting Dexter. Well done!
Nice one Gerry. 👍
CALLOUT – DOG FIND. SARDA handlers Louise Burgoyne (with search dog Lyla) and Eadaoin O'Gorman (with search dog Murphy) were tasked as part of a multi-agency search in Co. Wexford on Friday. Several search areas were covered until the missing person was located by search dog Lyla and handler Louise. Unfortunately, he had passed away. We would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the casualty's family. RIP.
Condolences to all involved but massive well done to dog and handler
Well done SARDA, tragic outcome. I only hope that at least the family and friends can start the mourning process instead of torturing themselves wondering if you had not located this person.
So sad, thanks to Lyla and Louise and to you all for your efforts.
Well done on the find, sad outcome but an outcome at least.
Well done to all involved, condolences to the family and friends.
Good work SARDA. May the person R.I.P. God bless their family.
May he Rest In Peace 🙏🏼
SARDA handler Michael Grant and search dog Ziggy were tasked to assist Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team today. The dog team was stood down en route when the missing person was located. A good result for all involved.
Two of our search dog handlers, Jarlath Folan and Janet Murphy, took part in a joint training day with Galway Mountain Rescue Team on Sunday with SARDA trainee dogs Syd and JJ. Jarlath is also a long-time member of GMRT. Thanks for the great photos, Edelle Doherty!
CALLOUT. Three SARDA dog teams were tasked this afternoon to assist Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue and Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team with a search for a missing person in the Sallygap area in Wicklow. Gerry Tobin (with search dog Dexter), Michael Grant (with Ziggy) and Eadaoin O'Gorman (with Murphy) were en route to the location when the missing male was located by the Mountain Rescue personnel. Dog teams stood down just before 6pm.
SARDA trainee dogs Rowan and Finnegan cooling off in Glendasan river, Wicklow after training this morning. Photo by Anthony Quinn.
Have a look at this great initiative organised in memory of Caitríona Lucas, the Irish Coast Guard volunteer (and former member of SARDA Ireland) who tragically lost her life in 2016. A core group of six, including Caitríona's husband Bernard, will be climbing the highest peak in each county in Ireland over eleven days in June. They will kick off with Carrauntoohil, Co. Kerry tomorrow and intend finish with Moylussa, Co. Clare on June 18th (Caitríona's birthday). If you are interested in joining the group on one of the mountains in the 32 counties, you will find all the dates and details on the page. The suggested donation is €10 per person per climb. The event is raising funds for the Ennistymon Community Hospital.
SARDA held a national training weekend in Oughterard, Co. Galway last weekend. Weather was warm both on days, but there was a nice breeze to aid area coverage. The majority of the training was done with three dog teams that have just moved up to searching large areas. Many thanks to local organiser Jarlath Folan and to all our wonderful "dogsbodies" who attended the weekend.
Photo: trainee search dog JJ. Photo credit Desi O'Hagan.
Would like to come down some weekend on your next training session in Autumn...could offer to do dogs bodies...have done in the past...wild camping suits me.
Last weekend was busy for SARDA. Two of our handlers, Eadaoin O'Gorman and Louise Burgoyne were involved in a search in Killarney on Saturday, resulting in a successful find by Louise and search dog Lyla. On Sunday, Éadaoin and Louise also joined two other SARDA search dog handlers, Michael Grant and Gerry Tobin, to try and help locate a missing 70-year old man in Waterford. Extensive searches took place over the weekend involving several agencies, including Waterford Marine Search and Rescue, Waterford City River Rescue CRBI, Civil Defence and Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 as well as other CG personnel. The four SARDA dog teams were tasked to carry out searches along the bank of the river Suir. Sadly, the search was stood down with the recovery of the missing man's body on Sunday night. RIP.
SARDA handlers Louise Burgoyne and Eadaoin O'Gorman were tasked to assist Kerry Mountain Rescue Team in a large-scale search for a missing 42-year old man in Killarney yesterday morning. The Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115, Killarney Water Rescue - Search & Recovery Unit and the Civil Defence also took part in the search. The missing man's body was found in the late afternoon by SARDA dog team (Louise Burgoyne and search dog Lyla) and a member of KMRT accompanying them. We wish to convey our deepest sympathy to the casualty's family. RIP.
It must have been a tough find but well done Lyla and Louise
Well done on the find and helping to bring closure to the family.
Very sad outcome, well done Louise & Lyla
Very well done Lyla & Lou! Finding closure for the families is so important.
Thank you so much to SARDA and everyone else who helped. I knew the man in question. Glad to know he was found by such a committed team.
Wonderful work Lyla & Louise. And all the other services involved in the search. These jobs are never easy, however take comfort in helping to bring closure for the family.
A very tragic incident, but well done to dog team Louise Burgoyne and Lyla for the find.
Well done to all involved over a busy weekend, especially to Louise and Lyla.
Well done to all you selfless people and wonderful dogs for finding the person for their family.
Good work, Louise and Lyla
SARDA search dog handlers Eadaoin O'Gorman, Louise Burgoyne and Michael Grant assisted Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue and Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team with a search for a missing mountain biker in Wicklow on Saturday. Unfortunately, the missing person was located deceased. RIP.Callout 46 - 5th May 2018 - Rathdangan, Wicklow
At 07:30 on Saturday, May 5th, Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team were tasked by An Garda Síochána (AGS) to assist them in the search for a mountain biker who was missing.
The man was reported missing at 02:00 after he failed to return from a cycle on forest tracks near Rathdangan on Friday evening. AGS located the man’s car on Saturday morning, parked at a forestry entrance. Dublin & Wicklow, Glen of Imaal, and South Eastern mountain rescue teams, Search and Rescue Dogs Association (SARDA), Garda Air Support Unit, and the Civil Defence were all tasked to assist in the search. Sadly, the man’s body was discovered in the late morning. The search was stood down at 12:52.
Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team would like to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased.
SARDA held a national training weekend at The Vee in the Knockmealdown Mountains over Fri/Sat/Sun. Many thanks to training officer Gerry Tobin who made sure that all three search areas were running smoothly, Gerry and Louise Burgoyne both for organising the logistics for the weekend, and Eadaoin O'Gorman, Helen NicChonmara, Lou and Pauliina Kauppila for watching over the areas and providing feedback to the handlers. We also had quite a few new 'dogsbodies' this weekend, so it's great to see that there is plenty of interest out there in the work that we do. Thanks for all your help, and hope to see some of ye at our next national training event in Connemara at the end of May!
SARDA was involved in a national multi-team exercise hosted by South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association over the weekend. The event took place in and around Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford and was attended by most of the Irish mountain rescue teams. On Saturday, SARDA handlers Gerry Tobin and Eadaoin O'Gorman gave talks and demos about how our dogs are trained and how they work. On Sunday, Eadaoin O'Gorman and Michael Grant also participated in a simulated major incident in the Nire Valley area. Well done all!
One man and his dog. A nice image of SARDA handler Simon Kelly and trainee search dog Flash training near Waterville, Co. Kerry earlier this week. Photo by Alena Kelly.
SARDA handler Gerry Tobin and search dog Dexter were tasked by the Gardaí this afternoon to assist with a search for a young boy in Co. Cork. The nine-year old had been out with his cousin in Watergrasshill but failed to return home. Happily, the youngster was found safe and well while the dog team was en route to the location.
Great that he was found. Hope Dex still got out for a run 😁
No better hound for the job!
Well done berry and Dex
Well done Guys
Great result. And well done Gerry for responding.
It was a busy weekend for our dog teams. On Saturday, Gerry Tobin (with Dex), Eadaoin O'Gorman (with Murphy) and Michael Grant (with Ziggy) were out searching areas of woodland near Carrick-on-Suir Co. Tipperary to support Tipperary Civil Defence with an ongoing search for a teenage girl missing since St. Patrick's Day. On Sunday, Mick and Ziggy also travelled to Mayo to assist Mayo Mountain Rescue team with a search on Nephin Mountain. – Late on Sunday night, the news came in that the week-long search operation in Tipperary had been stood down after a body was recovered from the river Suir. We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the casualty's family and friends. May she rest in peace.
Thanks for everything, professionals to the core
Well done
Well done Crew, and thanks a million for your help.
Tough job well done .
Well done crew 👍🏻
Last night's Nationwide programme (RTÉ One) featured Killarney-based photographer Valerie O'Sullivan and her magnificent book 'The MacGillycuddy's Reeks: People and Places of Ireland's Highest Mountain Range'. Among the highlighted images is this iconic photo of SARDA search dog Lily (sadly no longer with us), her handler Catherine Kelly and another SARDA handler, Gerry Tobin. The programme shows plenty of stunning Kerry scenery and is well worth watching! Link to RTÉ Player: www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/nationwide-21/10854945/
It's such a lovely pic of Lily, Catherine. Well done on the programme, Valerie O'Sullivan and Piaras Kelly – you were both great!
Great piece on the Reeks and lovely ppl of the area. V special place. Looking forward to getting the book 😊 amazing photography Valerie.
Thank you Pauliina Kauppilaila And Lily lives on💔💔💔💔
Thanks! Missed it, must have a look.
SARDA dog teams assisted Tipperary Civil Defence and the Gardaí with a ongoing search in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary over the weekend. Michael Grant and search dog Ziggy did a small search late on Sunday evening, and yesterday Eadaoin O'Gorman with search dog Murphy and Gerry Tobin with search dog Dex joined Mick & Ziggy to search three woodland areas. Unfortunately there has been no result so far.
Thanks for all the assistance folks and a super quick response as always. Great organisation
Well done guys
Well done x
A few more photos from our training weekend in Kerry. We had a good many handlers and dogs attending and were very grateful for the permission granted by Pat Foley, Kathryn Freeman and Declan O'Donnell from Killarney National Parks to train on an area near old Kenmare Road / Mangerton Mountain (thank you Eadaoin O'Gorman for sorting that out!). There was a full day's training on Saturday and shorter sessions on Friday and Sunday. While most of the handlers were at the training on Sat, SARDA also hosted a stand at the Killarney Mountain Festival and held a search dog demo which was well attended by the interested public. All in all a very successful weekend! Thanks to local organiser Catherine Kelly, training officer Gerry Tobin and everyone who helped as dogsbodies over the three days.
Photos by Valerie O'Sullivan, Janet Murphy, Pauliina Kauppila and Desi O'Hagan.
Philip McRory
Mary Mc Evoy
SARDA Ireland members are remembering the crew of Rescue 116 today. Dara, Mark, Paul and Ciarán – Rest in Peace.
A nice group photo of some of our handlers and dogs, taken by the brilliant Valerie O'Sullivan after one of the training sessions in Kerry this weekend. SARDA also hosted a stand & did a demo as part in the Killarney Mountain Festival. More photos to follow!Members of SARDA - Search and Rescue Dog Association, who gave a demonstration of their training at a workshop at Killarney Mountain Festival at the weekend, from left, Mike Palmer, Simon Kelly, Jean Ryan, Gerry Tobin, Henry Smith, Chairman, Pauliina Kauppila, Louise Burgoyne, Dorothy Grimes, Janet Murphy.
It was a great weekend. Such a buzz around Killarney. Thanks for the fab photo Valerie.
Keep up the good work!
Great Gray Old KoiruGirl!
SARDA handlers & dogs are heading to Kerry this weekend for a training get-together. Don't forget we're also taking part in the inaugural Killarney Mountain Festival and will be doing a search dog demo and a talk tomorrow (Sat) at 12.30 as part of the festival. We will also have a stand at the Basecamp all day on Saturday, so come and drop by if you're interested in hearing more about what we do. The full programme of events is available at killarneymountainfestival.com/. See you there!
Three of our search dog teams (Louise Burgoyne with Lyla, Eadaoin O'Gorman with Murphy and Michael Grant with Ziggy) + navigator Dorothy Grimes were out on Saturday and Sunday assisting Mallow Search and Rescue and CORK NORTH CIVIL DEFENCE in a ongoing search for a missing male in north Co. Cork. The dog teams searched several areas along the River Blackwater near Banteer. Unfortunately there has been no result so far.
The missing person's body was recovered this morning by Mallow Search and Rescue. RIP.
SARDA is a proud participant of the upcoming inaugural Killarney Mountain Festival (9th–11th March). We're hosting a stand on Saturday March 10th in "Base Camp" and will also be giving a talk with a demo on the same day at 12.30 in the Crean Tent positioned at Killarney House. This will be great opportunity for people to meet our handlers and dogs and to hear about what we do. We're delighted to be a part of this very exciting event!
Two of our dog handlers – Louise Burgoyne with Lyla & Eadaoin O'Gorman with Murphy – were out and about with the Tipp Town Scouts last night for a spot of training. Thanks to Noel Culbert for organising this get-together!This evening our scouts went on a night hike in Aherlow. It was no ordinary hike because we were delighted to be joined by two search dog teams from SARDA Ireland (Search And Rescue Dogs Ascociation).
Louise with her dog Lila and Eadaoin with dog Murphy kindly came from Cork to join in our hike. It was an opportunity for the dog teams to train in searching for groups in a forest environment while explaining and demonstrating to us how the air scenting search dog team works.
Our scouts hid in the woods a number of times along their three-hour hike and the search as carried out from two different directions. On each occasion the dogs searched to the left and right of the path under direction of their handler’s body language and voice commands and when they sniffed out the hidden group they “Indicated the find” by barking and running a path between the scouts and the handler until the handler was with the scouts. Their eagerness to find was rewarded by the the throw of a ball or the squeeze of a squeaky toy..
Eadaoin and Louise gave plenty time for questions and mixed with scouts as we walked back to the car park.
If you want to find out more about SARDA then see
sardaireland.com/
or follow them on facebook sardaireland.com/
or watch this video which explains how they work.
youtu.be/y3p-Azkjx4g .
Thank you Eadaoin and Louise for your time with us and we wish you the best of luck in all future training and searches.
A few photos from our national training weekend in Wicklow. Conditions were challenging with snow flurries on both days, but all dogs were performing well. Congrats to Janet Murphy & JJ and Gerry Tobin & Fia who passed the stock test and got their official green 'trainee' tags. Catherine, Michael, Eadaoin, Louise and Helen all helped with the monitoring of progress of the dog teams and provided welcome advice to all. Many thanks to local organiser Sheelagh O'Malley and to our training officer Gerry Tobin. And, as always, huge thanks to all our dogsbodies who once again hid in the hills for our dogs and handlers!
It was a busy weekend for one of our handlers, Eadaoin O'Gorman. After assisting with SARDA's street collection in Cork all day on Saturday and attending training with South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association on Sunday, Eadaoin and search dog Murphy were then called out at 5pm on Sunday when SEMRA were alerted to a hill-walking group in difficulty on Galtymore Mountain. The dog team covered several areas in extremely difficult weather conditions before the missing hikers were located by one of the search parties; the group was then escorted safely down off the mountain. Éadaoin and Murphy form one of the two new SARDA teams who passed their assessments in November, and this was their first callout as a qualified search dog team. Well done to the pair of them!
Nice one Eadaoin and Murphy. Lots of tired Legs and paws on Monday morning I’d say.
Well done guys, congrats on your first call out
Well done Eadaoin. You must be exhausted. 😌
That’s great Eadaoin well done see you soon.
Well done, both of you, and congrats on your first callout!😀
Wow well done Eadaoin and Murphy!
Well done Eadaoin and the murphy
Well done Éadaoin 🙂 and Murphy 🙂
Well done x
Well done Eadaoin and Murphy
Well done girls!!
Well Done, Eadaoin.
Very well done Eadaoin & Murphy👍
Well done Eadaoin and Murphy
Well done Eadaoin O'Gorman x
Wow Eadaoin!! You're some woman!! 😲😲
Great work Eadaoin O'Gorman
Great stuff Eadaoin & Murphy. 🙂
Some of our intrepid collectors in Cork yesterday. Huge thanks to everyone who donated to us so generously – and thanks also for all the nice chats and the interest in the work that we do! The funds collected will go a long way towards our training and equipments costs this year.
Special thanks to our resident Corkman, Don Murphy, who once again organised the permits and all the other logistics required for the collection.
We are doing our annual fund-raising collection in Cork tomorrow (Sat 13th). You will find our collectors and SARDA dogs in the city centre and all the main shopping centres (Bishopstown, Douglas Court, Douglas Village, Blackpool and Wilton) all day tomorrow. Come and meet the dogs and chat with the handlers if you're around!
Met the lovely Saoirse today, well done all you brilliant doggies 🐾❤️
Linda O'Callaghan
Another up-and-coming SARDA dog, Rowan, passed his obedience and stock test in Kilkenny this week. Rowan and his handler Sheelagh O'Malley are now officially on their way to great things. Well done!
Great news Sheelagh. Looking forward to seeing you both in action
Well done Sheelagh and Rowan.
Congratulations to you and Rowan 👍
Mighty stuff Sheelagh & Rowan.
Yay ! Go Sheelagh and Rowan 👍
Brilliant news well done all
Well done Sheelagh and Rowan!
Great news Sheelagh well done you and Rowan
Wonderful! Well done Rowan and Sheelagh!
ComgrTulations to the both of you
Good boy, Rowan!
Great news. Well done 👍👍👍
Well done Sheelagh!
Well done Sheelagh.
Wow well done Sheelagh
Super!
Well done Sheelagh O'Malley and Rowan 🐶
Fab congratulations Rowan and Sheelagh O'Malley xx
Well done Sheelagh & Rowan. Well deserved!
What a team!! Well done Rowan and Sheelagh O'Malley
Well done
Well done!
Well done Sheelagh O'Malley.
SARDA handlers Michael Grant (with search dog Ziggy) and Louise Burgoyne (with search dog Lyla) were called out by Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team to a search for a missing male on Coney Island in Sligo Bay. The dog teams assisted the mountain rescue team and members of the local community for several hours yesterday morning. Unfortunately there has been no result so far, and the search is still ongoing.
Let us know you need assistance....
Well done Louise Burgoyne and Lyla
Well done Louise
A few of the humans & hounds that attended the training weekend on Knockmealdown Mountains (other dog teams were also present but were otherwise engaged when this photo was taken!). Many thanks to our training officer Gerry Tobin who organised the accommodation and food for the weekend and to everyone who helped to set up search areas and provided feedback to the handlers (Gerry, Michael Grant, Helen NicChonmara, Louise Burgoyne, Eadaoin O'Gorman and Pauliina Kauppila). Most of all, as always, massive thanks to all our dogsbodies who endured chilly and damp conditions over the two days to help us train our dogs. We couldn't do it without ye!
Fantastic weekend Very professionally organised and ran. Such a pleasure to meet the trainers, handlers and dogs. I was made welcome as soon as I met this team.
Great weekend.
Sorry I had to mis this session. Hope to see you all soon again.
Wof wof wof, to all.
SARDA Ireland held an assessment weekend in Wicklow over the last three days with a very positive outcome: we now have two new dog teams on the callout list! Well done to Louise Burgoyne (with Lyla) and Eadaoin O'Gorman (with Murphy) who successfully got through their novice grade assessments in somewhat challenging conditions. While the weather stayed mostly dry, there was very little wind over the main assessment days (Fri & Sat) which always makes working air-scenting dogs that bit more difficult. Nevertheless, both ladies put on a stellar performance. Gerry Tobin and Dexter also passed their re-grading successfully – but then we would expect nothing less from our hard-working training officer. Big thanks to our external assessors Ken Sloan and Paul Taylor from Search And Rescue Dog Association England who travelled over specially. Thanks also to our own assessors Michael Grant, Henry Smith, Catherine Kelly and Helen NicChonmara, and to local organiser Sheelagh O'Malley who sorted out accommodation and meals for the weekend. Also, as always, much gratitude to our loyal dogbodies who hid in the hills in their bivvy bags, waiting to be found by a succession of excited dogs (and their even more excited handlers). 😉 Well done Éadaoin, Louise and Gerry!
Photos by Pauliina Kauppila, Dorothy Grimes, Noel Culbert.
Couldn`t be done without the volunteers who body for us . Big thanks,
Well done everyone, good news all round.
Fantastic result Eadaoin and Louise👍👍 And a special well done to Lyla and Murphy. 🐾⭐️
Delighted you guys did so well. Be proud of what you have done. 👍
Job well done by all three teams. Great dedication and commitment 👍
Well done Eadaoin and Louise. It's great to see all the work pays off
Fantastic work - well done to all involved
Congratulations to the handlers and their dogs.
Congratulations all well done everyone specially the bodies
Fabulous! Well done Eadaoin & Murphy and Louise & Lyla🎉🎉
Well done Eadaoin & Louise delighted for you and Murphy & Lyla
Well done from North West Mountain Rescue Team....
Well done everyone, all that hard work and training has paid off 😊
Congratulations!!‘
Brilliant
Brilliant! Congrats
Brilliant news. Well done everyone!
💐💐
Well done
Well done everyone
Well done
SARDA handler Gerry Tobin and search dog Dexter paid a visit to Croom College of Further Education yesterday to give a talk to their animal care students. The college very kindly gave the proceeds of a pub quiz to SARDA (presented to Gerry by lecturer Susan Reddan). Thank you! The donation will be used towards our training and equipment costs.
A nice photo of the dog handlers' group at the ICAR 2017 (International Commission for Alpine Rescue) in Andorra a couple of weeks ago. The conference was attended by teams from all over the world, including SARDA Ireland.
DOG FIND! SARDA handler Michael Grant and search dog Ziggy were assisting South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association earlier tonight in a search for a lost hill-walker in the Galtees. The dog team successfully located the missing person high on the Galtymore mountain. The hiker was well equipped and in good form, and he was escorted down off the hill by SEMRA members. A great result for Mick & Ziggy. Well done!Just home from a call out to the Galtee Mountains for a lost walker. SEMRA were tasked by Tipperary Gardai at 4pm to search for a walker who had got lost on the Galtee Mountains. SARDA dog team Michael Grant and his dog Ziggy located the missing walker high on the mountain. The walker was well equipped and in good form. He was was accompanied off the mountain by members of the team. Everyone was safely off the mountain by 7.30pm. This is one of a number of incidents in the Galtee Mountains this year. SEMRA is now 40 years in operation and has completed over 400 call outs since 1977. The call out today is the 25th to date this year.
Well done Mick and Ziggy!!
Well done Mick and Ziggy
Great work, Mick and Ziggy!
Super job, Mick. Well done!
Well done Michael and Ziggy. Heroes, lifesavers, legends!
Congrats Mick & Ziggy. Strong work!
Well done guys!
Well done, great work.
Nicely done Mick
Fantastic job
Well done guys
Well done all involved
Good work Mick
Well done Michael and Ziggy 😊
Super👍
A few photos from last weekend's Voluntary Emergency Services conference at Finner Camp in Donegal where Michael Grant and Ziggy represented SARDA and gave a talk & a search demo. The 'Donegal Daily' newspaper also has an article on the conference: www.donegaldaily.com/2017/10/24/finner-camp-hosts-super-expo-conference-for-emergency-services/
SARDA dog team Michael Grant and Ziggy had a busy weekend again. On Friday, they assisted the Gardaí with an ongoing search for a missing female on the outskirts of Sligo town. On Saturday, the pair attended the Voluntary Emergency Services conference at Finner Army Camp in Donegal where they gave a talk and display on SARDA search dogs. And on Sunday, Mick was back in Wicklow to give Henry Smith and Gerry Tobin a hand with pre-assessments for two of our prospective dog handlers. Well done all.
You have the poor dog burnt out mick well done
Busy is right. Well done Mick and Ziggy.
Well done guys 👍
Busy bees🐝🐝🐝
Two of our handlers, Gerry Tobin and Michael Grant were over in England last weekend to assist Kent Search & Rescue Dogs - Nsarda Kent as external assessors. All three search dog teams passed their assessments over three days. Well done!Well we are extremely pleased to introduce three new Search Dogs (and their Handlers) - Cara, Bonnie and Sprocket - well done on passing your assessments
Well done to all 3 newly qualified dogs and their handlers! BTW if I ever get a dog I'm going to call it Sprocket 😄
I have no idea what you are talking about!!!!! But I may have had more than a single one.
Thanks for coming over and for looking after my single malt for me 🙂
Thanks for your help guys it was really appreciated 👍
SARDA handler Michael Grant and search dog Ziggy had a busy weekend. On Saturday, after the funeral of Kevin Hallahan of DWMRT, the dog team travelled to Belmullet, Co. Mayo where they assisted Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit on an ongoing search of the coastline of the Erris Peninsula on the following day. On the journey home on Sunday night Mick and Ziggy were diverted to a search in the Arra Mountains near Birdhill, Co. Tipperary where a man had become disoriented in the darkness while helping a farmer search for missing cattle. He was located by members of Killaloe Coast Guard Unit and Tipperary Civil Defence before the search dog team arrived at the scene.
Well done Mick and Ziggy!
Well done mick and ziggy.great work
You must be tired after your busy weekend Mick! Well done.
Well done Mick and Ziggy.
Well done Mick & Ziggy.
Well done to you both. Hope you r getting a well deserved rest.
Well done Michael Grant and Ziggy too of course!!
Shocking news. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Kevin Hallahan's family, friends and teammates.The members of Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team (DWMRT) are deeply shocked following the tragic loss of our dear friend and teammate, Kevin Hallahan, in a fatal accident. The accident happened yesterday morning, September 30th, during a team training event on the Crib Goch route in Snowdonia, North Wales.
Kevin joined DWMRT in 2011 and quickly established himself as a valued and highly motivated team member. He was a skilled and experienced mountaineer who selflessly applied his knowledge to help those in need. Kevin could be relied upon to complete any task efficiently and safely, always looking out for his teammates. He was a man who cared for those around him, supporting and mentoring, with a kind word and his friendly smile.
We offer our deepest sympathies at this tragic time to Kevin's family, his parents Marie and Anthony, his sister Pamela, and brother Tony, and to his many friends. Our thoughts, in particular, are with Kevin's wife and daughters, to whom he was devoted. DWMRT will do all we can to support Kevin's family in the difficult weeks and months ahead. He was a wonderful person who will be sorely missed by all who were privileged to know him.
DWMRT would like to thank Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team, Caernarfon Coast Guard helicopter, and North Wales Police for their assistance.
My deepest sympathy on the tragic loss of Kevin. 🌹
May he Rest in Peace
Rip Kevin
May he R.I.P.
Prayers for his family. 🙏🏻
Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé. RIP
🙏💜
A nice article in the Southern Star newspaper about the recently retired SARDA dog Koiru and her handler Pauliina Kauppila.
A few of our dogs and handlers were busy at events last weekend. Gerry Tobin and search dog Dexter attended the 'Autumn Fayre' event organised by Ash Animal Rescue in Duckett’s Grove, Co. Carlow. They manned the SARDA stand, gave a number of demos to people and spoke about SARDA's role within the emergency services. Meanwhile, three of our trainee handler teams (Eadaoin O'Gorman & Murphy, Louise Burgoyne & Lyla, Dorothy Grimes & Piper [pictured below}) were in attendance at the Aghada & District Community Autumn show in Co. Cork. They had the enjoyable task of assisting the organisers with the dog show and the dog agility competition. Thanks everyone!
SARDA handlers Gerry Tobin (with search dog Dexter) and Michael Grant (with search dog Ziggy) were called out last night to assist South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association with a multi-agency search for a missing hill-walker in the Galtees. The search went on until 1.30 AM in challenging conditions and resumed again at 7 AM this morning. The walker was located safe and well by one of the search parties about three hours later. A great result. Thank you Gerry and Mick for responding!South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association are happy to report that after an extended search in the Galtee Mountains a missing male walker has been found safe and well this morning. SEMRA were initially tasked on Tuesday evening to search for a male walker who had been reported missing. The initial night search was carried out in heavy mist and very poor visibility.
Further search planning took place in the early hours of this morning after the search parties had returned to the road head at the Black Road. Due to the large search area a number of other teams were called to assist.
The search resumed at first light this morning. The multi agency operation included Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team, SARDA, Tipperary Civil Defence, Cahir Gardai, Valentia Coast Guard. Rescue 117 was on standby but the cloud and rain prevented it’s deployment on the mountain.
The missing walker who had spend the night on the mountain was found by a search party shortly after 10am today high up on the mountain. He was able to walk of the mountain to the Black Road and was transferred by waiting Land Rover to the rescue base. Thanks to all the organisations and locals who helped bring this search to a positive conclusion.
SEMRA provide a voluntary mountain rescue service to the South East on a 24hour by 365 days per year basis. The team which was founded in 1977 has been in existence for 40 years this year. The team recently completed it’s 400th callout over the 40 year period.
Fantastic to see a good outcome. Well done to all involved.
Well done.Michael and Gerry
Well done Mick and Gerry.
Well done Michael and Gerry
Great result. Well done folks.
A couple of photos from Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Run which took place at Waterford airport on Saturday. SARDA handlers Michael Grant and Eadaoin O'Gorman took part in the event with search dog Ziggy & trainee search dog Murphy.
Today we are remembering our friend and former SARDA colleague Caitríona Lucas who lost her life during a Coast Guard search mission a year ago. May she never be forgotten.
Rip you will never be forgotten for the way you dedicated your live for such a special cause. An eternal HERO. R.I.P.
What a brave woman. xxx
So Sorry. RIP. 👏❤️️👍👏❤️️
Wow teamwork is strong
RIP.Catriona
RIP Catriona
RIP
RIP
🌹🌹
SARDA held a training weekend on the Iveragh Peninsula over Saturday and Sunday. We got properly wind-blown, rain-drenched, sunburnt and sand-blasted on Saturday while training at Abbey Island by Derrynane Beach – a change from our usual hillside training spots but useful to do as dogs can regularly be requested for shoreline searches. On Sunday the training took place near Waterville, and we were also joined by a few members of the Iveragh Coast Guard unit as well as personnel from Valentia MRSC. We would like to thank the following:
- OPW (Christopher O’Neill and James O’Shea) for access to Derrynane & Abbey Island
- Iveragh Coast Guard for coming along to see what we do and also for the cuppa & debrief at the new station afterwards
- Denis from the IRCG Valentia Radio Station for dropping by and talking to us about the use of drones
- James Sugrue for access to his farmland for Sunday's training
- Cathy and all at Dromid Hostel for the warm welcome and comfy beds
- Local SARDA member Simon Kelly for arranging all the logistics and training officer Gerry Tobin for supervising the training
- And finally a big thanks to all of the volunteer dogsbodies who braved the elements to make it possible for us to train.
Photos by Alun Saunders, Pauliina Kauppila, Michael Grant, Eadaoin O'Gorman.
Conor Stanley
Search dog Koiru is retiring after 7.5 years on SARDA's callout list. Koiru and her handler Pauliina Kauppila qualified as a novice search dog team in March 2010 in the Comeragh Mountains and achieved their Full Search Dog grade at assessments held in the Mourne Mountains in October 2011. They also passed successfully their re-grading in Wicklow in November 2014. During this time, the pair have attended numerous callouts both nationally and at home as part of Castletownbere Coast Guard unit. We wish Koiru a happy retirement after her long service!
Happy retirement Koiru .
Enjoy her retirement Pauliina. .. well earned!
Happy retirement! 🍾🐶🍰
Doesn't she deserve a rest after all her tireless wonderful deeds.
Well deserved.
A lovely article in the Independent featuring SARDA and two of our handlers, Henry Smith and Sheelagh O'Malley.
Go Sheelagh, Go Rowan. Greetings from Bantry!
G'on Rowan , (Y)
U all do amazing work fair play to all of you
Brilliant work you two
CALLOUT. SARDA handler Michael Grant and search dog Ziggy were called out on Wednesday to assist in a search on Mount Brandon, Co. Kerry. A hillwalker, who was in his 60s and from the UK, had been missing since the previous evening and there was concern for his wellbeing. Dingle Coast Guard, Kerry Mountain Rescue Team and Rescue 115 were all involved in the search. The dog team was stood down en route when members of KMRT located the missing hiker's body on the mountain in the late afternoon. RIP.
Michael Grant your always on the go. Fair play.
So hard for everybody involved.
Good stuff Mick
A nice shot of SARDA trainee dog JJ in Connemara yesterday. The photo was taken by his handler Janet Murphy.
SARDA dog team Pauliina Kauppila & Koiru were called out last night to assist Castletownbere Coast Guard team with a missing person search near Allihies, Beara Peninsula. They were stood down while en route to the location when the missing lady turned up safe and well.
Two SARDA handlers, Gerry Tobin (who is also a member of South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association) and Brendan Beirne (who is a member of Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue team) were on Sean O'Rourke's programme on RTÉ Radio 1 this morning talking about different aspects of mountain rescue, including the use of search dogs. Well done lads!
We received some sad news recently. Hugo, one of our retired search dogs passed away last week. Hugo and his handler Jarlath Folan (who is a member of Galway Mountain Rescue Team) qualified as a search dog team in March 2010. They also successfully passed their re-testing in October 2011. During his career, Hugo attended several call-outs with Jarlath and had one remarkable find to his name. He retired from search work in 2014 after his arthritis got too much to handle. Since then, as well as resting on his laurels, he was helping out with Jarlath's new trainee dog, Syd. Thanks for your service, Hugo.
Sad news, not an easy thing to go through xx
Sorry to hear about Hugo, he was a fantastic dog.
Run free over rainbow bridge Hugo
Sad news, a beautiful dog, rip x
So sorry to hear this, what a wonderful dog he was, great years of service. A real credit to you jarlath. RIP Hugo x
Very sorry to hear this. Hugo was a great dog.
RIP lovely Hugo. Hugs to you Jarlath.
He was a great dog x
He was a fab dog xxxx
So sorry to hear 😓 I remember many a great training session with this pair 😓
Sorry to hear that news Jarlath.
Sorry to hear. Was a great little dog
Run free beautiful...see you at the bridge
Soo sorry Jarlath. Hugo was a beautiful dog. 😢
Sad for you Jarlath
Aww so so sad rest in peace
Great dog and part of a great pair.
What a fantastic dog. So sorry to hear this Jarlath, both myself and Chewie were big fans of his x
Rest in Peace dear Hugo.
The Avondhu has a little article on SARDA from our last training weekend at Knockmealdown Mountains. Thanks!
Simon Kelly, Gerry Tobin, Sheelagh O'Malley, Pauliina Kauppila
Thank you for putting in so much of your time and for your dedication - it's a huge commitment but you (humans and canines) provide a greatly appreciated service.
Good Koiru!
National training at The Vee, Co Tipperary. Thank you to all our wonderful dogsbodies who as usual made it possible for us to train our dogs. Thank you also to The Sallows Hostel for looking after us so well.
James Curran we were told 12 yrs ago by a different group that springers were no good for search and rescue look at what is sitting in pride of place in this front row !
Had a great weekend at Clogheen and training at the Vee. Got loads of great training advice for me and JJ. The Sallows Hostel is to be highly recommended.
It was our pleasure to have you all staying with us again! Looking forward to seeing you all again in future 😊
Good weekend. All dogs working well. All handlers working.
My kids loved seeing you all in action on Saturday. You made us feel very welcome. Thanks 👍
Good Koiru!
SARDA handler Michael Grant and search dog Ziggy were called out by the Gardaí in Fermoy just before midnight last night. They were requested to assist in a search for a walker who had got lost in a wooded area near Kilworth. The walker was found by an army search team from nearby Kilworth Camp just before the dog team arrived at scene. Well done Mick and Ziggy for responding.
Well done Mick and ziggy.all in a day's work while we were sleeping soundly
Great stuff Mick.
Well done Mick Grant. (y)
One of your colleagues?
Training in Wicklow today. Thank you to John Connell and Alun Saunders for the wonderful pictures.
SARDA handler Gerry Tobin and search dog Dexter spent yesterday at Blacksod, Co. Mayo where efforts are still continuing to try and locate the two missing crew members from Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116. The dog team did two long shoreline searches, covering a distance of some 20k. Unfortunately there is still no result. We send our thanks to Michael Hurst and his crew from Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit, and our sympathies to all families affected by this tragedy.
What wonderful people!we ( Mark Duffy s family) have you all in our constant prayers,please God you will have closure,RIP
Fantastic work guys and well done Dexter.
Well done Gerry
HELLO SEACH AD RESCUE DOG ASSOCIATION iRELND,
CALLOUT. Valentia MRSC tasked SARDA dog team Pauliina Kauppila & Koiru at 1.30am last night to assist in a search at Lough Hyne, near Baltimore, Co. Cork. A 60-year old tourist had not returned to his vehicle, and there was concern that he may have got injured or fallen ill. The dog team was stood down en route at 2.40am when the Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 located the man safe and well. Toe Head/Glandore Coast Guard Unit had also been tasked to the incident earlier and had commenced a search. A happy outcome for all agencies involved.
Ten SARDA Ireland members spent the weekend in the Peak District National Park, training together with the Oldham Mountain Rescue Team & Search And Rescue Dog Association England members. All handlers enjoyed the challenge of new terrain and new faces. Ken Sloan and Mick Nield (SARDA England) both helped our dogs to get the best from their handlers! Many thanks are due to all in Oldham MRT for their hospitality and to SARDA England for their help with our dogs. A return trip is being planned!
Photos by Dorothy Grimes, Alun Saunders, Tom Mac Namee, Michael Grant.
Well done Dorothy - the photos look amazing !
Great set of photoes hope all went well
Looks great 👍🏻
Many thanks to all who helped today for our street collection in Dublin. These fundraising events are what make it possible for us to train our dogs.
We are on Grafton Street today, 10 until 6.
Any caption for this photo?
Any treats in there. You do a great job
What? No biscuits?!
they only put money in and not treats for me
Not much so far, so I better start singing!
I need a cent to help find you.
Where's my money?
"We need a bigger bucket"
"I've found something - and it smells very human!"
So where are the treats?!
I cant eat those...
" I just want two euro for an ice cream !"
SARDA Ireland handlers and dogs will be on Grafton Street, Dublin this Saturday from 10 until 6 for a street collection. These collections are a huge part of our fundraising but it is also a great chance to talk to our supporters. Please do come have a chat, if you're in the area.
SARDA met for a spot of training at Lough Mohra, Co. Tipperary on Sunday morning. After the training session, we held our AGM which included the election of the new committee. Congratulations to all existing and new members, and good luck in the coming year! SARDA would also like to congratulate our outgoing secretary Simon Kelly who was recently elected as the secretary of our umbrella organisation, National Search and Rescue Dog Association (NSARDA). Well done Simon, and thanks for all your very hard work over the last 2 years.
SARDA handlers Gerry Tobin (with search dog Dexter) and Michael Grant (with search dog Ziggy) spent most of the day yesterday assisting their home team South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association with a search. Unfortunately the missing person was located deceased. RIP.Our annual team training weekend was scheduled to take place yesterday and today in Ballymacarbary. Just as our training was getting under way on Saturday morning we were tasked by the Gardai to assist in the search for a missing person on the northern fringes of the Galtee Mountains. The search subsequently moved to Lough Gur where we assisted the Kilaloe Coast Guard team in the recovery of the missing person. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the deceased at this time.RIP.
Well done Gerry and Mick
Well done Gerry Tobin and Michael Grant.
A sad result. Still, well done for responding, Gerry and Mick.
A sad farewell to a remarkable person.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the rescue services
Respect
Respect to all two and four legged heroes
We are deeply saddened to hear of Irish Coast Guard helicopter pilot Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick's tragic and untimely death today. SARDA Ireland members – human and canine – had the pleasure to train with Dara and her crew on several occasions. She was courteous, kind and professional – and she loved our dogs! Her loss will be felt acutely throughout the search and rescue community in Ireland. Our thoughts are with Dara's family and crewmates. May she rest in peace.
Rip
Condolences to all in the rescue community on this tragic loss.
Great loss to everyone god bless you all
So sad..
RIP
RIP!
RIP:::
***UPDATE: Kenneth McGowan has been located. RIP.*** SARDA handler Gerry Tobin and search dog Dexter were tasked by Gardaí to assist in a search for a man who has been missing for over three weeks in the Drumcliff area in Sligo. The dog team travelled up from Clonmel early yesterday morning and spent 5 hours combing through several search areas. Unfortunately, the man has still not been located.
UPDATE: Kenneth McGowan has been located. RIP.
Fair play to you Gerry – a long trip for you & Dex.
Packie Corr Seamus Daly
Michael Grant and Ziggy were successful this weekend in their novice assessment in Wicklow. The assessment took place over three days, and weather conditions were challenging throughout. Mick now rejoins the Sarda active search dog ranks and looks forward to a long and busy service with Ziggy. Many thanks to our dogsbodies who suffered valiantly throughout the weekend, and to our internal and external assessors, especially to Ken Sloan and Paul Taylor of Search And Rescue Dog Association England who travelled over for the assessment. Much credit for the successful running of the weekend is down to Sheelagh O'Malley and Simon Kelly. *Sarda personnel also assisted in Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue and Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team in two rescues during the course of the Sunday afternoon at the Lead Mines near Wicklow Gap.
Well done Mick.
Great to see how well you all gel together and how hard you train! Despite the rain , I was nice and toastie up on the hill ! I even managed to catch a few Zzzzzzz's in my bivvy bag!!! By any chance did anyone find a pair of prescription glasses at the car park in the Wicklow gap? Well done everyone! Cheers Ross
Congratulations
Well done guys. Best wishes on any and all future operational searches x
Congratulations to the both of you! 👏
Well done Mick......👍🏼
Well done Mick
Well done everyone.
Super job Mick well done 🍾🍻
Well done Ziggy and Mick😉
Well done Mick and Ziggy. A pleasure to assess such a slick team 👍🏻
Congrats Mick and Ziggy
Great weekend in spite of the weather. Congratulations Mick and Ziggy.
Congratulations
Well done mick a great weekend and well on all your hard work h and d
Congratulations Mick and Ziggy!!
Well done Mick and Ziggy, and thanks to everybody for a great weekend, despite the awful weather.
Well done Mick and Ziggy
Well Done Folks.
Well done Mick
Congratulations Mick well done !!!
congratulations!
Congratulations Mick and Ziggy! We look forward to working with you again. Thanks to Search and Rescue Dog Association (Ireland) for your help yesterday.
Well done Michael. Delighted for you.
Subtle hint at those not included in the group photo? We know when we are not wanted!
Some photos from training in Wicklow over the weekend. Respect to Alun, Tom, John and Colin who turned out in the rain and wind to help us train our trainee search dogs. A couple of pictures thanks to John Connell.
SARDA handler Gerry Tobin and search dog Dexter responded to a callout in the Ballyhoura Mountains with South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association late last night. The missing mountain biker was located by a search party just as the dog team arrived at location and was getting briefed. A good result.Interesting callout last night; overdue mountain biker at in the Ballyhoura Forest area. An extensive search of the many cycle trails & forest roads ws underway when the cyclist was located by a local person near the Red Log.
Many thanks to An Garda Siochana, Coillte staff & many local people who assisted.
SEMRA members from Kilkenny, Carlow, New Ross, Waterford, Dungarvan, Mitchelstown, Clonmel, Cahir & Tipperary Town responded.
If you or a companion are overdue from a walk or cycle, then please do not hesitate to contact a friend or family member early so that assistance can be provided asap or call 112 or 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.
A second callout in three days for Pauliina Kauppila and Koiru. Valentia MRSC tasked the SARDA unit to assist Castletownbere Coast Guard team in a search for a missing young male in Ardgroom, Beara Peninsula last night. The dog team spent 2.5h searching through farmland and wooded areas. Unfortunately the search concluded tragically when the missing person was located deceased. RIP.
Fantastic first find for SARDA search dog Abbie.
Hey, isn't that a Hovawart?! Excellent breed for searching. 🙂
Well done Abbie and handler
Fiona McDonagh
SARDA handler Pauliina Kauppila and search dog Koiru assisted Castletownbere Coast Guard last night in a search for a missing 20-year old man. The dog team covered a good stretch of shoreline, fields and wooded areas outside Castletownbere, Co. Cork before being stood down for the night with the rest of the team at 2am. Just as the search was to resume again this morning, the news came in that the young man had been located safe and well. A happy outcome.
A few photos from the national training weekend in Wicklow. Saturday started dry but cold and as the day progressed we had snow and wind to contend with. Two of our handlers, Michael Grant and Louise Burgoyne, were being pre-assessed, so large hill areas were set up for them. Both acquitted themselves well considering the challenging conditions. Meanwhile, the younger dogs worked in the Brockagh area at the lead mines near Glendalough. On Sunday, we used areas around our accommodation and trained for lowland conditions. All dogs are progressing well, and we look forward to the next crop of search dogs coming on stream in the near future. Many thanks to all the volunteer dogsbodies without whom it would be impossible to train our dogs. Thanks also to our training officer Gerry Tobin and local organiser Sheelagh O'Malley. All photos by Alun Saunders.
SARDA handler Gerry Tobin and search dog Dexter were called out at 1.30 am last night to assist Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue & Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team in a missing person search in Wicklow. The search was stood down as the dog team was en route when the missing young man was located safe well. Thank you Gerry and Dex for responding.
Some of our collectors in Cork yesterday. Thanks a million to everyone who helped and to members of the public who donated to us and chatted to our handlers! Your generosity will go a long way to provide funding towards vital equipment and training in 2017.