Shocking footage shows youngsters attempting to swim at Salthill in Galway in incredibly dangerous conditions as Storm Desmond rages.
Cathal Desmond took to Facebook to share the video, along with a warning about the dangers of such behaviour.
He wrote:
"By posting this video of Storm Desmond in Salthill, Galway I wish to highlight the absolute madness and stupidity of what these youngsters are doi
ng. I do not know if they are strong swimmers or not, that is not the case, if any one of them got into difficulties there was no one there to do anything for them. The voluntary and rescue services are kept busy enough without having to worry about this type of stupid behaviour.
Please God, everyone will have a happy Christmas, perhaps it could have been very different. I would like to make it very clear that I or anyone else do not condone or see any "macho" side to this incident."
Within hours the video had received more than 200,000 views all over the globe, with many referring to the youths as "fools", "eejits" and "morons".
