ANOTHER SUMMER, ANOTHER terrifying picture of young people jumping from four storeys high into the the water at Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock.
These pictures were taken this afternoon by a nearby worker and show a number of young people peering over the edge of the Dockmill Building before leaping off.
The summer sight of young people donning wetsuits to jump into the water is an annual occurrence and it often seems that youngsters try to outdo each other.
Last year, some were pictured jumping off the same building after they appeared to climb up using attached scaffolding. This year, the scaffolding is gone but the daredevils are still jumping.
Local TD Kevin Humphreys says there is concern in the area about the dangers to young people from jumping off high buildings.
“There are two elements to it with health and safety concerns about them swimming and also jumping off great heights,” he says.
Garda patrols are regularly seen in the area to monitor the young people and Humphreys says efforts have been made to increase their visible presence. Business have also been encouraged to make extra sure that their buildings are secure.
“The guards have been working with local businesses and there have been increased patrols between 12 noon and the evening,” Humphreys says, adding that the jumping activities seem to be getting more popular.
The other thing that’s happening is that a lot of young people are travelling from a long way to get here from other parts of the city, by Dart and that. It’s not just local young people.
Last year, both Irish Coast Guard and Irish Water Safety issued warnings about jumping from on high:
Jumping from or diving into water from a great height and hitting the water incorrectly at speed can be compared to hitting concrete. This will result in extremely serious injury to the body both externally and internally and may result in the jumper being paraplegic for the rest of their life, if they survive at all.
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