Charity evening in memory of road racer Davy Morgan

Charity evening in memory of road racer Davy Morgan

15 March 2023

NEWRY, Mourne and Down Council has weighed in with its support for the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team.

The support comes after the organisation — staffed by local volunteers — contacted a number of high profile organisations about concerns sparked by a search and rescue 

service based in the north west of the province which has changed its name.

The local team fears the decision by the Londonderry-based service to change its name to imply that it covered the whole of Northern Ireland could cause “unnecessary delays” in responding to life-threatening emergencies.

The North West Mountain Rescue service changed its name to the Northern Ireland Mountain Rescue Team (NIMRT), with local rescue team volunteers fearing it will result in delays in reaching people who need urgent treatment and transported off the mountains and its fundraising activities.

NIMRT covers all areas of the province that are not covered by the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, although the latter is called out more often.

Recently, the local rescue team took the unprecedented step of publishing a so-called position paper on social media outlining its concern and has now published an update.

It confirmed that it has raised the name issue with a number of organisations, including the Charities Commission and Northern Ireland Search and Rescue (NISAR), the official Department for Justice panel for recognised voluntary search and rescue assets.

Concerns around the name change were discussed at last week’s monthly meeting of the local authority when the issue was raised by Slieve Croob councillor Andy McMurray.

He confirmed the local mountain rescue team was concerned that its practical effectiveness and financial resources could be reduced due to the name change of the Derry-based rescue team.

Cllr McMurray called on the local authority to show its public support for the Mourne rescue team and commit to liaising with it in order to establish what practical help and support can be given as it seeks to secure its position via the Charity Commission.

“The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team is made up of a truly dedicated group of individuals with an unparalleled amount of knowledge and skill in the upland environment,” he said.

“Unitary skills which allow them into very inaccessible areas, to multidisciplinary skills which allow them to work with other agencies should the need arise. Everybody entering the Mournes is safer as a result of the rescue team being able to respond at a moment’s notice if difficulties arise.”

Cllr McMurray said the volunteers responded to 59 call-outs last year and assisted 48 injured walkers.

He continued: “A name change is not insignificant, but there are major concerns that this could impact the  local team operationally.

“The change of name from North West Mountain Rescue Service to Northern Ireland Mountain Rescue Team suggests they cover all of Northern Ireland when this is not the case. 

“The Mourne team is by far the busiest team in Northern Ireland and among the busiest in Ireland. There is a real risk that the wrong team could now be tasked in an emergency situation leading to delays in response.”

Cllr McMurray said the local rescue team relies solely on charitable donations and is concerned at the name change of the north west team which could potentially lead to confusion which may impinge on its financial stability.

The local mountain rescue team said its primary concern is that it could be perceived that the north west team covers all of Northern Ireland including the Mournes and has even replaced the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, emphasising this is not the case.

The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team still covers the Mournes, Croob and Gullion and is by far the busiest mountain rescue team in Northern Ireland and among the busiest in Ireland.

The local rescue team, which is a voluntary 999 emergency service, said the name change  “causes it considerable concern” and there is a “very real risk of confusion” in tasking the relevant team in an emergency situation, leading to delays in response” and that there could be an effect on sustaining the volunteer group’s operations.